Kylian Mbappe described the experience of playing under new France coach Zinedine Zidane as “like something from a film,” reflecting on their long history that dates back 15 years. Zidane, who recently replaced Didier Deschamps as the head coach of the French national team, will lead Les Bleus for the first time in their Nations League match against Turkey on Friday in Izmit.
Mbappe recalled how Zidane was the first person to bring him to Real Madrid’s training complex as a youth player, an encounter that left a lasting impression. “He was the first person who picked me up to take me to Real Madrid, to the training complex. I was 13 or 14, so it was a long time ago,” Mbappe said in an interview. He added that having Zidane as national coach now felt surreal yet exciting.
Deschamps ended his 14-year tenure after France’s loss to Spain in the semi-finals of the World Cup in July, marking a disappointing conclusion to his long reign. As Zidane takes the helm, France begins preparations for Euro 2028 with four Nations League fixtures over the upcoming international break, facing Belgium twice and Italy once at the Stade de France.
Mbappe emphasized the start of a new phase under Zidane’s leadership, noting the team’s two-year timeline to ready themselves for the European Championship. “It’s a new era with a new coach. We have the Nations League coming up, four games, and we’ll see how they go. It’s going to be new for everyone because all we’ve known is Deschamps. It’s going to be a change for us, but I think everything is going to go very well,” he said.
At club level, Mbappe has had a strong start to the season with Real Madrid, scoring eight goals in as many appearances across all competitions. However, he was unable to score in their recent 2-1 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid. The match also marked the return of Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid’s head coach, appointed with the objective of ending the club’s two-season trophy drought. Despite Mourinho’s return, Real Madrid currently sit six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
In the aftermath of the loss to Atletico, Mourinho criticized the refereeing decisions. Mbappe, however, chose a more measured response regarding officiating controversies. “I have my thoughts, but I keep them to myself. I’ve never been that kind of player and I’m not going to start now,” Mbappe said. He acknowledged that referees are fallible and sometimes make mistakes but preferred not to dwell publicly on those issues.
As Zidane begins his tenure with France and Mourinho aims to revitalize Real Madrid, both clubs and their star player face significant challenges in the months ahead.