Frank Leboeuf has expressed firm confidence that Kylian Mbappe possesses the leadership qualities needed to thrive as France captain, with the Paris-born superstar gearing up for his third appearance at a FIFA World Cup finals.

Leboeuf, who lifted the World Cup with France in 1998, drew parallels between Mbappe and previous captains of Les Bleus, arguing that the weight of the armband has historically elevated the best players to even greater heights.

The armband as a catalyst

The former France defender pointed to a long-standing pattern within the national setup — that taking on the captaincy has consistently brought out something extra in those who have worn it. Leboeuf believes Mbappe is fully aware of this expectation.