Didier Deschamps justified the absence of Kylian Mbappé who, as captain, was expected at a press conference on the eve of France-Ireland.
Tradition is not the rule. If Hugo Lloris used to appear at each press conference the day before the matches of the France team, when he was the captain, this is not the case for Kylian Mbappé. He prefers to choose his appearances. Eagerly awaited by journalists after his turbulent summer at PSG, the tricolor striker has thus decided to skip 24 hours to face Ireland at the Parc des Princes, as part of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
In his place, it was Antoine Griezmann, disappointed not to have recovered the armband after the 2022 World Cup, who answered questions. “I don’t know what you are waiting for. There is no obligation to always have the captain present, justified Didier Deschamps. It can be the vice-captain or a player who is supposed to be important in the game. In the thoughts and discussions that I can have, there is the interest of the France team which is Ireland’s match. »
Mbappé, discreet captain
The tricolor coach therefore feared that the contractual situation of “Kyky” would interfere with the preparation of this important meeting for the Blues. ” I know very well that you have a lot of interest in Kylian, he added. If I refer to his last press conference, I don’t think he had many questions about the France team or the game ahead of us. I always put before the collective interest. If the individual interest goes in the direction of the collective, I discuss. »
“I hope it went well with Antoine, even if you still manage to ask questions about Kylian…he continued, smirking. Kylian is doing very well, he resumed with his club, chaining the matches. He is very well physically and morally, he is there with his status and his role as captain to make sure we get the result we want. Will he be captain against Ireland? Yes, it’s crisp and clear. » This is not the information that everyone was waiting for…
