French Federation Reveals New Captain France Against Israel

Real Madrid Midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni, will captain France for their Nations League game against Israel on Thursday in the absence of Kylian Mbappe, the French federation said on Wednesday

His Real Madrid teammate Mbappe, the usual captain, is skipping the Nations League games against Israel and Belgium.

Normally, the vice-captain would take over the captain’s armband, but Antoine Griezmann, who serves as France’s vice-captain, announced his retirement from international football just before the international break.

Tchouaméni was competing with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté and Barcelona’s Jules Koundé for the captaincy, as per RMC Sport.

Tchouameni was one of the favorites, with full-back Jules Kounde and keeper Mike Maignan. He has 36 caps for France since making his debut in September 2021.

Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain during the offseason, has come under criticism in France for not participating in the doubleheader in Budapest and Brussels, despite being fit to play for the Spanish club.

After Israel, France, second in Group A2, will take on Belgium on Monday.