Didier Deschamps has confirmed that, in Kylian Mbappé’s (25) absence, N’Golo Kanté (33) will captain France against Israel in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday.
For the second consecutive international break, captain Mbappé has not been selected by Les Bleus. Former vice-captain Antoine Griezmann surprisingly announced his retirement from international football earlier this season and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wore the armband during the last international break, is out through injury.
Deschamps therefore had a decision to make for the match against Israel. Speaking ahead of the Nations League encounter, the France manager confirmed former Leicester City and Chelsea midfielder Kanté as captain for the game.
“He (Kanté) is the captain, yes. He has experience. N’Golo isn’t someone who will speak a lot but he has always been a leader, a motor. He has a knowledge of the group and he has been a leader for years but knowing him, it won’t change how he is,” said Deschamps in a press conference on Wednesday.
Kanté briefly wore the armband during the September international break, as well as briefly at Euro 2024. Whilst the Al-Ittihad midfielder will captain the side against Israel at the Parc des Princes, it remains to be seen whether it is a role that he will retain when Les Bleus face Italy on Sunday.
