Kylian Mbappe named France captain at age of 24

Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has been named the new captain of France, succeeding Hugo Lloris. -EPA

Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been named France captain, succeeding Hugo Lloris who has retired from international football.

"Didier Deschamps has named Kylian Mbappe the new captain of Les Bleus. Antoine Griezmann if the vice-captain," the French soccer federation said on Twitter on Tuesday.

"Kylian meets all the requirements to have this responsibility. On the field as in the life of the group, by being a unifying element," French TV channel TF1 quoted Deschamps as saying in an interview to be aired on Sunday.

Mbappe, 24, had been touted as one of the candidates for the role since Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris retired from international soccer in January, weeks after leading France to a second straight World Cup final, where they were beaten by Argentina.

Mbappe has been capped 66 times and played a key role in their successful 2018 World Cup campaign as well as their runners-up finish in 2022.

France take on the Netherlands at the Stade de France in their first Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday, before travelling to Ireland next Monday.Â