Legendary France defender Frank Leboeuf has expressed harsh criticism regarding Kylian Mbappe ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 1998 world champion claims that the Real Madrid star is not a true captain capable of leading the national team to victory due to his selfishness. This is reported by Goal.com .
According to Leboeuf, although Mbappe is the face of French football, his individualistic mindset does not align with team spirit. While the former defender considers Mbappe a well-mannered young man, he emphasized that his approach to football contradicts collective values. He believes a true leader must prioritize the team's interests over their own.
The former player also listed more suitable candidates for the captain's armband. In Leboeuf's view, players like Arsenal defender William Saliba and experienced midfielder N'Golo Kante stand out for their willingness to sacrifice for the team. He also recognized Antoine Griezmann, who recently retired from international duty, as a true leader.
Comparing the current generation to the 1998 golden squad, Leboeuf admitted that the current team is stronger in the attacking line. However, he stressed that his generation was superior in defensive solidity and team unity. He believes Mbappe may be a superstar, but he is not the best teammate in the world.
The France national team, led by Didier Deschamps, is preparing for the upcoming World Cup in North America. Leboeuf's critical remarks are expected to further intensify the debate surrounding Mbappe's role as captain.
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