Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly willing to make Kylian Mbappe their captain, despite having more senior players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar on their books.
Mbappe, 23, is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer. PSG haven't given up on retaining the World Cup winner, however, and are considering making him the focal point on their star-studded team.
Yet experienced pair Messi, 34, and Neymar, 30, may not be in favour of the move to hand Mbappe the armband in a bid to keep him at the club. Nor would centre-back Marquinhos, 27, who is current skipper of the French club and has been in the role since September 2020.
Despite this, PSG are willing to give Mbappe the captaincy - according to French outlet L'Equipe. Mbappe's contribution to PSG has been invaluable since he joined the club - initially on loan - from Monaco in the summer of 2017. The Frenchman has scored 160 goals in 209 games, helping them win 10 trophies - including three Ligue 1 titles.
PSG are almost certain to add another trophy to their collection next month, as they sit 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1. Their most recent result was a 5-1 victory against Lorient, with Mbappe scoring twice. He now has 28 goals in all competitions this term.
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Mbappe is still weighing up a move to the Bernabeu, though. He already speaks Spanish and put in a stellar performance in PSG's aggregate defeat to Real in the Champions League, scoring in both legs. Despite this, he's reluctant to confirm anything to the press.
"There are new elements [to my future]," Mbappe told reporters after Sunday's win against Lorient. "There's no need to talk about it. There are new elements, a lot of parameters to take into account. It's a difficult decision. I want to make the best one possible.
"I'm trying to make the best decision, with my family. Is this my best form with PSG? I don't know. I'm in a good place right now, but the best? I don't know. I still have the same mentality, the same goal, to help my team win. That's what I've done. I was part of the collective, I helped my team-mates and I played a decisive role. It was a great evening."
As well as score a brace, Mbappe also set up three goals in a dominant display. Neymar scored twice, with Messi picking up a rare goal in PSG colours. The Argentine, who scored 30 league goals for Barcelona last term, has found the net just three times in Ligue 1.
When asked about Mbappe's performance, Lorient manager Christophe Pelissier admitted: "When you're dealing with such a player, it's difficult.
"I think there are few people who ever see such strong players. Right now he's the best in the world. It's [amazing] to have him in Paris and to be French. But afterwards, when we are opponents, we are not necessarily happy that he is there."
