France-Israel: “I feel good and ready”… In the absence of Kylian Mbappé, N’Golo Kanté named captain by Didier Deschamps

“Yes, N’Golo Kanté will be captain”. Didier Deschamps did not maintain the suspense for long at a press conference this Thursday, November 13. As soon as his list was announced, in which Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni do not appear, the question of the identity of the captain arose. Mike Maignan, Ibrahima Konaté or Jules Koundé? No, the coach favored the most experienced player in a France group (63 caps), recently orphaned by Antoine Griezmann.

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Since his first selection in March 2016, and despite a two-year absence from the Blues, N'Golo Kanté has always adopted exemplary behavior, on and off the pitch. Enough to convince Didier Deschamps: “He's not someone who will speak a lot. But, there are other forms of leadership. He has always been a leader and a driving force on the ground.”

“A certain recognition of the group”

Thanks to impeccable behavior and successful performances, the current player of Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) has always been unanimously appreciated. “He has a certain recognition of the group” admitted Didier Deschamps. The 33-year-old is the oldest of a selection which only includes four thirty-somethings. An experience synonymous with assurance.

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“Naturally with the age, the status, and the presence of the young people who are there, it becomes easier to communicate and pass messages, affirmed the main person concerned. The armband encourages you to do it even more. together, I feel good and ready.”

In October, N'Golo Kanté missed the last rally, injured in an adductor. This Thursday, he will wear the captain's armband for the second time in his career in Blue. During his first experience on September 9, 2024, the native of Paris led his team to victory against Belgium (2-0).