France’s national football team has had a promising start in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, winning their first two games and topping Group B. The team faced questions following their impressive run in the FIFA 2022 World Cup and the loss of two key players, Hugo Lloris, and Raphael Varane. However, under the leadership of new captain Kylian Mbappe, the team has shown great promise.
Mbappe, who scored two goals and provided an assist in the team’s win against the Netherlands, has settled into his new role well. Although he was quieter in the game against Ireland, the PSG superstar continues to pose a threat to opponents. Antoine Griezmann has also remained productive, scoring within two minutes against the Dutch and playing a central role in the team’s success.
Other Star Players on the French Team
One of the standout performers in the team has been goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has been chosen as Lloris’ long-term replacement. Maignan made a crucial late save in the game against Ireland to secure France’s victory. The team’s defense, including Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, has also performed well, passing two early tests.
In midfield, Adrien Rabiot has emerged as an integral member of the French team at 27 years old. He has paired well with both Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, and his impressive form from the Qatar games has continued into 2023. Benjamin Pavard has also returned to the team and scored against Ireland, while Jules Kounde started against the Netherlands.
Speculations and Response to Mbappe’s Captaincy
Before the team’s victories in the qualifiers, there were reports of tensions between Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. However, evidence suggests that the pair have resolved their issues and are on good terms again.
🇫🇷💕 pic.twitter.com/WNStFq2CEq
— Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann) March 25, 2023
Following their 4-0 victory over the Netherlands last Friday, Griezmann made two social media posts featuring Mbappe, one with a heart emoji and the other with the French flag. The French team will be relieved at how quickly the issue was resolved
Mbappe’s First Performance as Captain
In the changing room at half-time with the score at 3-0 in 🇫🇷🇳🇱… 🗣️#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/mFsf1OR9Av
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) March 25, 2023
Aside from resolved tensions, Mbappe has already made headlines as a promising captain even before the match against the Netherlands. Kylian Mbappe’s first match as captain of the French national team saw the PSG star deliver a rousing half-time speech to his teammates, encouraging them to keep up the pressure on their opponents.
In a video posted on Twitter by French Team, Mbappe can be heard telling his teammates to “not let them breathe” despite already being 3-0 up against the Netherlands.
France’s Status So Far
France has a strong track record under Mbappe, having won the World Cup in 2018 and reached the final in 2022. With Mbappe now leading the team, they will be hoping to continue their success on the global stage in the coming years.
However, the team’s front line has some work to do, with Randal Kolo Muani struggling to make an impact and Olivier Giroud feeling like an awkward fit. Nonetheless, with Mbappe providing quality going forward, the team is looking promising for the upcoming international fixtures.
Overall, the French team has started the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers on a positive note, and fans are excited to see what the future holds for this talented squad.
