Between the absence of Kylian Mbappé for this gathering of the France team and the international retirement of Antoine Griezmann, Didier Deschamps had to appoint a new captain for the two upcoming matches against Israel and Belgium in the Nations League. Jules Koundé, Mike Maignan and Aurélien Tchouaméni were the three players cited to take this armband. It was ultimately the Real Madrid midfielder who was chosen.
A decision which does not seem to have bothered Mike Maignan any more. According to our information, the AC Milan goalkeeper has no problem with the coach’s decision and believes that he does not need the armband to exercise his leadership within the group. After the defeat against Italy in September, the 29-year-old goalkeeper did not hesitate to refocus his teammates, including his captain Mbappé.