Aurélien Tchouaméni, a defender for Real Madrid, said that he will lead France against Israel in the Nations League game without Kylian Mbappé “with a lot of pride.”

The 24-year-old Tchouaméni wants to be a leader “who brings people together,” but he doesn’t want to make being captain a popularity race.

“To be okay with everyone.” What does that mean? “In every team, there are people you get along with better than others. The most important thing is to respect each other,” he said at a news conference in Budapest before the game. “In a dressing room, some people are liked by everyone more than others.” It works the same way in any business.

Tchouaméni has played 36 times for France and brings his experience to a team that is missing its star player.

Doier Deschamps, the coach of France, said, “I chose him because I think he has the profile to handle this responsibility.” “He played in the last World Cup and the last European Championship, even though he’s still young.”

Mbappé, who is usually France’s leader, hurt his thigh in Madrid and is taking it easy.

Tchouaméni said, “I talked to Kylian last night, but we didn’t really talk about this.” “We talked about other things more.”

People were wondering why Mbappé wasn’t on the France team since he still played for Madrid last weekend. Since Mbappé works for the club, Deschamps didn’t say anything about it.

Deschamps said, “Clubs have always had this power.” He also said that because their players have to play so many games, clubs are becoming more “attentive.”

Deschamps also said, “I don’t want to put players at odds with their clubs.”

Tchouaméni said that Madrid did not ask him to quit playing for France when he was asked.

He said, “That’s not true.” “People can read into it what they want, but I can only say that there is no pressure from inside the club.”

France also doesn’t have vice-captain Antoine Griezmann because he unexpectedly quit playing for France last month, after 137 games and 44 goals.