Mbappé already knew about Zidane's hiring as national team coach

Mbappé already knew about Zidane's hiring as national team coach

According to Championat.

Context

Килиан Мбаппе, as captain of the French national team, will play a key role in implementing Zidane's vision. The experience of Zidane, who has already won 11 titles with Real Madrid, raises high expectations about how he can influence the team's style of play and mentality, especially at a critical time after the departure of Didier Deschamps.

Why this matters

The hiring of Zinedine Zidane as coach of the French national team is a significant milestone for French football, especially after the performance below expectations at the 2026 World Cup. The relationship of trust between Zidane and Килиан Мбаппе could be crucial in revitalizing the team and restoring player morale, especially considering the pressure to succeed in future tournaments.

Main conclusions

• Mbappé already knew about Zidane's hiring as coach of the national team.
• Kylian Mbappé was aware of Zidane's appointment as coach of the French national team before the official announcement.
• Мбаппе заранее знал о назначении Зидана на пост тренера сборной Франции — L’Équipе.

Kylian Mbappé, a standout for the French national team and Real Madrid, knew a few months ago that Zinedine Zidane would take command of the national team. The information was revealed by the newspaper L’Équipe, which highlighted the relationship of trust between the player and the new coach, who have known each other well for years. This proximity could be fundamental for Zidane's work at the helm of the national team, considering that one of his main tasks will be to strengthen his bond with the team captain. Zidane, who has been out of the market since 2021, returns to his role as coach of the French national team after a successful spell at Real Madrid, where he won 11 titles, including three UEFA Champions Leagues. His experience and success at the Spanish club gives him a high status among the players, and he hopes to transfer this prestige to the national team. France performed below expectations in the 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Spain, who ended up becoming champions of the tournament after beating Argentina in the final 1-0, after extra time. With the departure of Didier Deschamps as coach, the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) hopes that Zidane will bring new energy and positive results, not only for the team, but also for the confidence of the players. With the new coach, Zidane, the expectation is for a reformulation in the team's playing style and tactics. The challenge is great, especially with the pressures that come with leading a team with as much talent and history as France. He will have to deal with the expectations of the fans and the press, who always expect a lot from the world champion team. The new cycle of the French team will begin with preparations for the next international competitions and, of course, preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which will beheld in three countries: United States, Canada and Mexico. The expectation is that Zidane will be able to take advantage of his vast experience and knowledge of the game to inspire not just Mbappé, but the entire team, towards new successes. The future of French football looks promising under the leadership of one of the sport's greatest icons.

What happens next

With Zidane at the helm, a reformulation of the French team's tactics is expected, aiming not only to improve performance on the field, but also to strengthen the dynamics between the players. The immediate focus will be on preparing the team for the next challenges, including the qualifiers for the next World Cup, where the French team will seek to regain its prominent position on the international stage.