Mbappé returns to captain France against Croatia in Nations League

Kylian Mbappé is set to captain France against Croatia in the Nations League quarterfinals, marking his return after a six-month absence. In a pre-match press conference, he acknowledged past shortcomings in his leadership, admitting to not handling his responsibilities well during a previous match against Italy. He emphasized his acceptance of criticism, stating that he is focused on learning from past mistakes and moving forward. Despite previous doubts about his captaincy, which stemmed from a lackluster performance during a September match, discussions with coach Didier Deschamps confirmed his leadership role. Mbappé, who is third on France’s all-time scoring list, aims to improve his contributions as he faces the challenges ahead. The first leg of the quarterfinal is scheduled for Thursday in Split, with a return match on Sunday at Stade de France.