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Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has responded with grace to the decision of Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré to name French born Cameroonian Jean Charles Castelletto as the club's captain for the 2024-2025 season. Castelletto, who has been with Nantes since 2020, replaces Pedro Chirivella in the captaincy role.
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Simon, who has played 169 matches for Nantes since joining from Levante five years ago, expressed his full support for Castelletto’s leadership. Despite some controversy surrounding the decision, given Simon’s longer tenure at the club, the Nigerian international stated that the coach's choice must be respected.
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Speaking on the official Nantes webpage, Simon said, We are a team, and the coach decides who wears the armband. JC Castelletto is a team leader and an international player, but ultimately, it is about us playing together as a unit. Whether we wear the captain's armband or not, we all have a role to play.
Nantes kicked off their 2024-2025 campaign with a goalless draw against Toulouse and are set to face Auxerre in their first home game of the season on August 25.
Editorial
Moses Simon’s response to the appointment of Jean Charles Castelletto as Nantes's captain speaks volumes about his character and understanding of what it means to be a leader. For someone who has served as a captain for both club and country, it would have been easy for Simon to express disappointment at the decision. Instead, he chose to emphasise teamwork and unity traits that make him a natural leader, regardless of whether he wears the captain's armband.
In football, leadership isn’t confined to a single individual it’s about the collective strength of the team. Simon’s willingness to respect the coach’s decision and continue to play with the same passion highlights his maturity. His statement, We are here to play, not to be captain, underscores his understanding that success comes from the contributions of all players, not just those with a title.
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This attitude sets a powerful example for the younger players at Nantes. Simon’s focus remains on delivering results on the pitch, showing that true leadership can be found in actions, not just titles. As fans, we appreciate this humility and professionalism, and we do not doubt that Simon will continue to play a key role in Nantes' success this season.
Did You Know?
Moses Simon joined FC Nantes in 2019 after a loan spell from Levante and quickly became one of the team's most consistent performers.
Jean Charles Castelletto, Nantes' new captain, has 133 appearances for the club since joining from Brest in 2020.
Nantes won the Coupe de France in 2022, marking their first major trophy in over two decades.
Moses Simon has Nigeria’s Super Eagles in international matches, showcasing his leadership skills on the global stage.
FC Nantes, also known as Les Canaris, was founded in 1943 and has won the French Ligue 1 championship eight times.