This morning, June 10, 2025, in Paris, a heated argument erupted in the French football community when Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid star and captain of the French national team, strongly responded to criticism from Lilian Thuram, the famous former French football player. This all stemmed from Thuram’s recent comment on a television show, in which he believed that Mbappé lacked the necessary skills to earn the captain’s armband for Les Bleus. This statement immediately sparked controversy, especially since Mbappé is a symbol of the young French generation.
With little time to spare, Mbappé conducted a live interview on the social network X at 10:00 a.m. local time. With a confident but no less pointed tone, he stated: “I respect the history and contributions of former players, but the quality of a captain is not only in age or experience, but in what I have done on the pitch.” He cited a series of personal and team achievements, including the 2018 World Cup championship, the Pichichi title in La Liga last season, and the role of France leading to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. In particular, Mbappé highlighted that he has scored 12 goals in the last 14 matches for the national team, an impressive figure to demonstrate his leadership ability.
The climax of this reaction came when Mbappé mentioned Marcus Thuram, Lilian Thuram’s son and his current teammate in the French national team. “I’m not just the nominal captain, I’ve supported Marcus and other young teammates in difficult times. Ask Marcus how he felt when I helped him score the decisive goal in the match against Belgium,” Mbappé said, accompanied by a tough smile. This remark not only targets Lilian but also, as it were, is a direct jab at Marcus, who previously kept quiet about his father’s opinion.
The reaction from the French online community and media was captivating. Many supported Mbappé, claiming he had proven his worth through actions, not just words. However, others supported Lilian’s views, arguing that a captain needs mental fortitude, which Mbappé—despite his talent—still lacks. France’s upcoming friendly against Brazil on June 14, 2025, at the Stade de France should be the place where Mbappé proves his leadership abilities, especially as the pressure from this incident mounts.
Lilian and Marcus Thuram have not yet made any official comments, but the tense atmosphere within the team is becoming the focus of attention. With his strong talent and personality, Mbappé seems to be not only looking to protect his position, but also sending a clear message: he is ready to take on any challenge to lead the French team to new glory.
