Zinedine Zidane will lead the French national team for the first time as 'Les Bleus' travel to Turkey for a UEFA Nations League match. After many years of waiting for the opportunity to manage the national team, Zidane will take over from Didier Deschamps.
At 54, Zidane is recognized as one of the greatest French footballers of all time, alongside Michel Platini. Deschamps was the captain of the first French team to win the 1998 World Cup on home soil, as well as the team that won Euro 2000. However, it was Zidane who inspired these squads, being a majestic playmaker with balletic ball control and cunning in play.
He ended his international playing career 20 years ago after the famous header against Marco Materazzi in stoppage time of the World Cup final in Berlin, which France lost to Italy on penalties. This match was Zidane's one hundred and eighty-eighth and last appearance for the French national team. He left his home country at the age of 24, moving from Bordeaux to Juventus.
Zidane never returned, spending five years in Italy before achieving his highest accolades at Real Madrid. There, he coached the Spanish giant twice, winning the Champions League three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018. His second spell at the Bernabéu ended in 2021, after which he prepared for the challenge.
During his presentation in Paris at the end of July, Zidane stated: 'I have waited for this day for four or five years. I am full of emotion, I am truly excited. I am happy. It is huge for me,' marking a new era for France after Deschamps' 14-year tenure. Kylian Mbappé congratulated him on his appointment on Instagram.
On Friday, Zidane presented his first squad. Among expectations was that his team would be more attacking than during most of the Deschamps era, at least until the recent World Cup. Zidane noted: 'You will see how I see football. Good football motivates me. There will always be balance, but I want to see how we play, and I think we have a team for that.'
After many years of prioritizing substance over style, which drew criticism but also led to the 2018 World Cup victory, Deschamps realized that he had players capable of playing more actively in the tournament in North America. France was a favorite but ultimately lost to Spain in the semi-finals; however, captain Mbappé became the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals, and Michael Olise delivered outstanding performances. Ousmane Dembélé, last year's Ballon d'Or winner, shone at times.
These three players are in Zidane's squad, and the new coach confirmed Mbappé's role as captain. Notable absences include Arsenal defender William Saliba and Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni. Meanwhile, there are several new faces in the squad. Central defender Jeremie Жаke was called up in recognition of an impressive start to the season with Liverpool, and midfielder Lucas Da Cunha from Como is an intriguing acquisition, while Esteban Leполь earned a chance after becoming the Ligue 1 top scorer last season.
David Bettoni, who worked with him at Real Madrid, will be Zidane's assistant. Fabian Bartés, who won the World Cup with Zidane, will be the goalkeeping coach. The new manager's primary tasks will be Euro 2028 in Great Britain and Ireland, followed by the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Deschamps set a high bar of expectation, demanding that France reach at least the semi-finals in five of the last six major tournaments.
However, the first test will be the Nations League, which will give Zidane difficult opening matches but without the pressure of the Euros or the World Cup. 'Les Bleus' will play away against Turkey and Belgium before Zidane debuts at home at the Stade de France on October 2 against Italy, reminiscent of Materazzi and 2006.