The second Hugo Lloris announced his international retirement, the fiercest race in France was triggered - one Kylian Mbappe has won.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker has been named the new captain of Les Bleus, beating intense competition from Antoine Griezmann, who will be vice-skipper.
But Griezmann, who hasn’t missed a game since June 2017, is reportedly so upset at missing out he’s considering his future as an international player.
Mbappe is undoubtedly the nation's biggest name, though, and at just 24 years of age, will take the armband after four months of consideration by manager Didier Deschamps.
The length of time it took to make the call was symbolic of how difficult and important it was, with the 2018 World Cup winning manager set to embark on a new era after a series of retirements post-Qatar.
Mbappe will now lead that charge against the Netherlands in his nation’s first qualifying match for Euro 2024.
But his new role will undoubtedly take the headlines, with his most recent contract at PSG sparking plenty of jokes about him now running the Paris club.
Most read in Football
Those kinds of barbs will likely be aimed at Deschamps, too, but in reality, Mbappe’s rise to become ‘the boss of the Blues’ - as one news outlet in France called him - has always been in the making.
Standing up for Zidane
There was much speculation over Deschamp’s future following a final defeat in Qatar, with Zinedine Zidane reportedly waiting in the wings to take the job.
The incumbent stayed, and in the aftermath the French Football Federation president, Noel Le Graet made some disparaging remarks, saying he wouldn’t even pick up the phone to Zidane.
Le Graet has since resigned from his role amid sexual misconduct allegations, but Mbappe turned the tide on him when he tweeted: “Zidane is France, we don't disrespect the legend like that…”
That saw an avalanche of criticism for Le Graet, which many considered was a long time coming, and Mbappe’s simple tweet triggered his demise.
Taking on the president
Like many opportunist politicians who jumped on Mbappe's comments about Le Graet, France president Emmanuel Macron was looking for similar exposure in Qatar.
Following a penalty defeat to Argentina, Macron made his way onto the pitch, seeing a PR opportunity to console Mbappe.
Perhaps aware he was potentially being used, the no.10 wouldn't even look at his country's leader, let along hug him or shake his hand.
Dressing room leadership
During the incredible 2022 final between Argentina and France, the latter side looked completely down and out until Mbappe stepped up.
That change began in the dressing room, though, with Mbappe destroying his teammates in an incredible motivational speech.
Standing up in the room he said: “It’s the World Cup, guys. It's the match of a lifetime. Whatever happens, we can’t do any worse than what we did (in the first half).
“We’re going back out there on to the pitch: either we let them play us like idiots, or we put a bit of intensity into the game, get into the one on ones and change things, guys.
“It’s a World Cup final. We are two goals down. We can come back! Oh guys, something like this only comes around once every four years.”
World Cup demolition
Mbappe’s 2022 final performance was arguably the greatest of all time, scoring three to add to his one in the 2018 final, giving him the most goals ever in the biggest match in football.
The striker now has 36 goals in 66 games for his country and has 12 at the World Cup in just two editions.
That puts him level with Pele, and only four behind record holder Miroslav Klose on 16.
Standing up for his rights
In early 2022, well ahead of the World Cup, Mbappe and his countrymen were invited to participate in a day with sponsors ahead of the tournament, including photoshoots with a number of different brands.
Mbappe did not attend, saying he wanted control of his image rights, saying it’s ‘fair to look at what our name is associated with’.
Wanting to be a role model for young players, Mbappe was unhappy with France’s collaboration with betting companies, and main sponsor Coca-Cola, which he deemed was negative for nutrition.
Picking Giroud over Benzema
In Euro 2020, Benzema returned to the line-up but France crashed out at the last 16 stage courtesy of Switzerland as things got muddled up top.
Previous to that, at the 2018 tournament, Giroud was absolutely integral in Deschamps front three.
Despite not scoring a goal, he allowed Mbappe and Griezmann to run the show, and was repeatedly praised by the two for his link-up play and intelligence.
Mbappe made the bold step of talking up his partner pre-tournament, saying: “I have a lot more freedom here.
“The coach knows that there is a number nine like Olivier who occupies the defence."
Read More on talkSPORT
An injured Benzema eventually didn’t feature at the World Cup with controversy over whether Deschamps could've later brought him back.
Mbappe was proved right, with France overcoming their poor form to reach the final, with Mbappe scoring eight, and Giroud four.
ncG1vNJzZmiskaG4tLzOq6tnm5%2BifKe7zq2ZmqScZH50gphtbHJnmKTEbrfYpaCapl2ir6K8z55km52TlrqmecWrmKeblWKworzTmqCnZaekv62wjJysqWWZmLyvecqaqaKlXZeyr8bEppho