Ibrahima Konate flabbergasted by Kylian Mbappe captaincy critics
Ibrahima Konate can't understand the criticism of France appointing Kylian Mbappe as their new captain.
The 24-year-old was named as Hugo Lloris' successor on Tuesday, who retired from international football after the 2022 World Cup, ahead of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
Many had thought Griezmann, who has 117 caps to his name, would be the one to take over from Lloris, but he will instead support Mbappe as France's new vice-captain after Raphael Varane also stepped back from the international picture.
Didier Deschamps had previously quashed rumours that Mbappe had already been named skipper, but the decision was confirmed to France's playing squad at their Clairefontaine training base.
Mbappe has led Paris Saint-Germain at times this season, in the absence of Marquinhos, and he's received full backing from Liverpool defender Konate, who can't understand why the decision would be questioned.
"Even if I had a say in this, it would not change a thing. It’s the coach’s decision but I’m very happy," he told Eurosport.
"Honestly, Kylian deserves it. We’re unanimous on this. He deserves it with what he’s done at the World Cup and with PSG as well.
"He’s a very good leader, on and off the pitch. He’s a young lad who loves to laugh and have fun, nothing more. He’s a very good person. Some may think he’s arrogant. It’s something I was asked about in my club and elsewhere. To them, I say ‘Are you crazy? He’s so nice.’ Of course, he will be a good skipper."
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France's previous captains
Mbappe joins an illustrious list of French players to have held the national team armband.
No player has skippered Les Bleus more than Lloris, who led the team out 121 times in his 145-cap international career. Didier Deschamps, Michel Platini, Marcel Desailly, Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira also captained France on at least 20 occasions.
Mbappe is the ninth PSG player to skipper France, the most recent being Presnel Kimpembe who stood in for Lloris on two occasions.
Notable former captains
- Hugo Lloris
- Didier Deschamps
- Michel Platini
- Marcel Desailly
- Roger Marche
- Manuel Amoros
- Zinedine Zidane
- Marius Tresor
- Jean Djorkaeff
- Thierry Henry
- Patrick Vieira
- Raphael Varane
- Lilian Thuram