Christophe Galtier has confirmed Kylian Mbappe is Paris Saint-Germain's vice-captain.
Mbappe, 24, is one of the best players in Europe and PSG are determined to keep him on their books, despite serious interest from Champions League holders Real Madrid and Liverpool. The Spanish giants tried to sign him last summer before he agreed a new contract with PSG, while Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the Frenchman.
It is believed both clubs have not given up on signing Mbappe and he is also keen. The France international has 18 months left on his existing deal, with an option of a further 12 months. Only Mbappe can trigger that option, which could allow him to force a move next summer.
As such, PSG are not resting on their laurels. Galtier has handed Mbappe the vice-captaincy to show the Ballon d'Or candidate how important he is to the PSG project. That is a big gesture considering the world-class players Galtier has at his disposal.
Sergio Ramos, Neymar, Marco Verratti, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lionel Messi are just some of the superstars on PSG's books. Many of those players have captained clubs and national teams before - such as Real legend Ramos and Barcelona icon Messi.
Yet it is Mbappe who is PSG's vice-captain and will deputise when Brazilian defender Marquinhos is unavailable. Galtier confirmed the news after PSG hammered Pays de Cassel 7-0 in the Coupe de France on Monday night. Mbappe, as captain, scored five goals.
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"I decided that he is the second captain since the beginning of the season, he deserves to have this armband when Marquinhos is not there, because he has decided to stay," said Galtier after Mbappe's sensational display. "He scored 56 goals in the calendar year.
"He is one of the world-class strikers, one of the best in the world. He's like that. He is formatted to score goals, he did not abuse, goals came naturally after combinations."
Mbappe signed a new contract with PSG after turning down Real. As reported by The Athletic, the decision was influenced by political pressure in France and Qatar. PSG are owned by Qatar Sports Investments following a takeover in 2011.
French president Emmanuel Macron, who was criticised for consoling Didier Deschamps' players on the pitch after their World Cup final defeat to Argentina in December, was reportedly part of negotiations. It is claimed PSG offered Mbappe a bigger salary.
The situation has also changed since that renewal. Mbappe was reportedly unhappy with PSG's transfer business last summer - as they failed to sign the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Robert Lewandowski - and there have been rumours of rows with team-mates.
Yet Mbappe will not leave PSG in January and is said to have returned from the World Cup rejuvenated after winning the Golden Boot. Gestures such as the vice-captaincy will go a long way to keeping him onboard and quashing speculation.
