What is missing from Kylian Mbappé’s list? If lifting the Champions League trophy with Paris Saint-Germain is a distinction that is sorely overdue, the 24-year-old player is rather furnished: champion of the 2018 World Cup, finalist of the 2022 edition, winner of the French Cup…
Bondy’s star has however decided to do even more, or rather Didier Deschamps decided for him by appointing him captain of the French football team. Thus, readers were asked to 20 Minutes if the captain’s armband would go well with Mbappé’s biceps and the answers were not long in coming.
“Who else better to represent the France team? »
It is obvious for Arthur, 27 years old. “In another country, the question wouldn’t even have arisen… We have an exceptional player with an exceptional mentality on the pitch. I think it’s a very good thing, he wants to win and he has the shoulders to carry the team (as we saw at the World Cup)”. On the side of Daniel, 70, the 24-year-old player did not deserve his new role: “With the courage he had at the World Cup to go up in score and playmaker and defense at PSG compared to to Messi and Neymar, he deserves it. »
“In the absence of Pogba, he is the only player who has the makings of a captain. He leads by example on and off the pitch and establishes himself as a technical and dressing room leader. A good thing for him and for the team. We will have the best version of Mbappé, be sure of that. All that remains is that he leaves PSG and he will show everyone that he can become the best French player in history, ”assures “Père Colateur”, 28 years old. Note the injunction from the capital club. Patrick, 65, went straight to the point: “Completely logical. Who else better to represent the France team? For Valérie, 60, (just like Mbappé), young age is not to be taken into account. “Yes, I think that Kylian has the necessary maturity to be captain, to give a good dynamic to the French team and to allow good team cohesion. »
“Too early, too impulsive, too exposed” for some
However, readers of “20 Minutes” are not all in awe of Mbappé. ” Lack of experience. Too exposed,” concludes Jean-Claude, 78. “Too early,” adds Sylviane, of the same age and concisely. An argument shared by Philippe, but a little more developed. “Too early, too impulsive character, for me it can’t work and in addition he is not communicative enough with the press. Another decision by Deschamps that we do not understand. Giroud is still there whereas we have Lacazette, Laborde…”. Chantal, 72, fears for the striker’s ankles. “He already has a big head. There was no need to add more. It’s not a good idea for me.”
If our reader Valérie considered Mbappé mature enough for the captain’s costume, it is quite the opposite for Thomas “For me, it is a very bad idea. And this, not to mention his age (some players have been very good captains at 24, or even before). It’s a bad idea in my opinion, because Mbappé is an individualist player, who plays football for Mbappé and not for the team. What interests him are his stats, his number of goals. (Just think back to his sulks to take free kicks/penalties, whether in blue or at PSG…) He does not have the mentality of a leader necessary for a role of captain. He is certainly a very good player, but he will not make a good captain. »
Many readers in favor of Griezmann
Pierre, 75, meanwhile, believes that the error lies with the coach. “Very bad idea. Deschamps continues in his mistakes. Mbappé already has a real coucour in place of the head. He lacks humility. Griezmann would have been wiser. But Deschamps lies down in front of the prince. Christophe also agrees on the choice of Antoine Griezmann. “Bad idea, Griezmann would have fully deserved it and following Euro 2024 why not. “. And three with Nacéra: “No respect for seniority – the captaincy was only given to Mbappé out of favoritism and whim. Griezmann should have had it without asking the question “
If Anne, 41, agrees with the choice of the Atlético de Madrid player, she deplores the few players suitable to be captain. “He is an excellent striker, with exceptional running qualities. In addition, he scores a lot of goals, and he exploded at international level at a very young age. However, be careful, the melon season has not yet started, he sees himself more handsome than he is: indeed, he does not play in a major championship, he carries his team on his own, in a championship where the level is low. He proved nothing abroad, his club was eliminated in the Champions League.
A departure for Real or England would be beneficial for his career. So, of course, apart from him, who to give the armband to? The other options are not many…. Griezmann would have been a more logical choice, perhaps less divisive. Rabiot? Too few selections in EDF. Giroud is at the end of his career, and decried in EDF. In short, the choice may seem logical, but may not be the right one…” The opinion of the “20 Minutes” jury is thus rendered. The ball is in Kylian Mbappé’s court to silence or confirm the opinion of his detractors.
