Kylian Mbappe remains the right choice to lead France as captain, according to Jeremie Aliadiere, who told GOAL that a team’s skipper “doesn’t have to be the best player.” The French record goalscorer currently holds the armband for Les Bleus, and despite any lingering questions about his temperament, the 27-year-old continues to set the standard through his performances on the pitch.

Mbappe, who also stands as Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time top scorer, is not known for being a vocal leader. Instead of shouting instructions, he prefers to inspire through his play, lifting those around him by example. In attack, he is supported by a talented group featuring Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Bradley Barcola.

Even with such an impressive forward line, France fell short of reaching their third consecutive World Cup final, suffering a semi-final defeat to Spain in 2026.

Following that loss, Mbappe spoke publicly about the disappointment. Before stepping down as head coach, Didier Deschamps still has one final game in charge — the third-place play-off against England on Saturday. Heading into that match, Mbappe sits level with Argentina’s icon Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot.

The Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ has once again demonstrated why he remains the brightest star in France’s constellation of talent, embracing his role as the national team’s talisman. Although he can appear moody at times and is unafraid to voice his opinions, that fiery streak resurfaced when he appeared to question Deschamps’ tactics and “communication” following the semi-final defeat to Spain.

With Zinedine Zidane expected to take charge of Les Bleus, the question now arises — should Mbappe continue as captain under the new manager?

Aliadiere, speaking to GOAL in partnership with BetVictor Online Casino, shared his view: “It doesn’t have to be the best player, it doesn’t have to be the loudest either. In my opinion, a captain should lead by example and show the right way.”

He added, “What’s also important is how you handle the media, how you represent the team, how you speak about your manager and your teammates — you should always try to calm things down.”

“Being a captain is easy when everything is going well. The real test comes during tough times — that’s when leadership matters most. So, to be honest, I’m not entirely sure. In terms of his football, his work ethic, his example on the pitch — yes. But some of his post-match comments, especially after losing a World Cup semi-final, might not have been ideal. Criticising the manager’s tactics publicly only fuels speculation.”

“People are always waiting for controversy, for someone to lash out or criticise. That’s when a captain needs to stay calm and realistic. Mbappe has many qualities that make him a strong leader. He enjoyed a great relationship with Didier Deschamps over the years and is a true leader on the field. Off the field, everyone handles disappointment differently — that was his way of coping. But yes, I still think he’s the right man to wear the armband.”

Mbappe’s status as a ‘Galactico’ ensures his name remains central to Ballon d’Or conversations. With 105 international caps and 64 goals since making his senior debut in 2017, he has already achieved what many dream of — including lifting the World Cup in 2018. France know they have a generational talent in Mbappe, and they will continue to rely on his brilliance and leadership as they look to build for future success.