Olivier Giroud on Kylian Mbappé’s France captainship: “He wanted this role and he likes it.”

AC Milan striker and the French national team’s all-time record goalscorer Olivier Giroud (36) has given a wide-ranging interview to L’Equipe. The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward had made headlines this week thanks to his crucial goal against Napoli which helped the Rossoneri qualify for their first Champions League semi-finals since 2007. Also this week, Giroud put pen to paper over a contract renewal with the 2022 Serie A champions, meaning he’ll play for the Stefano Pioli-led side until 2024.

Giroud was asked about Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps’ decision to hand PSG striker Kylian Mbappé (24) the skipper’s armband in the wake of the international retirements of Hugo Lloris (36) and Raphaël Varane (29). From Giroud’s point of view, Mbappé is an inspired choice. “Kylian has all the scope, it’s good for him. He makes the connection with the future. He is the most coherent link between generations“, Giroud said on the 24-year-old Paris-born prodigy. The 2021 Champions League with Chelsea reckons that Mbappé is a natural leader, both on and off the dressing room. “He does well with the media. He knows what he wants and he is more vocal in the dressing room. He wanted this role and he likes it.“

Giroud adds that his close friend Antoine Griezmann (32) had also all the legitimacy to be given the armband. “Although, he gets on with this very well (after not receiving the armband). ‘Grizi’ puts the team above all!” France will play Gibraltar and Greece in June for their next Euro 2024 qualifiers.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval