Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappe describes his experience with Zinedine Zidane as 'like something out of a movie'.
- Zidane returns to manage the French national team after a five-year absence.
- Mbappe will continue as France captain under Zidane’s leadership.
French football star Kylian Mbappe has expressed his excitement about working with former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, describing their collaboration as 'like something out of a movie'.
The pair will work together for the first time during the upcoming international break, as Zidane returns to management after a five-year hiatus from the sport.
Mbappe, who has been a key figure for the French national team, including leading them to their second World Cup in 2018 and a return to the final in 2022, sees Zidane’s return as a significant change in his career.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Mbappe recalled how Zidane had a formative role in his development, taking him to Real Madrid’s training ground when he was 13 or 14 years old.
Zidane has now replaced his former France teammate Didier Deschamps as the national team coach, marking a new phase for the team and its players.
Mbappe believes that this new experience will be positive, stating, 'It’s going to be a new experience for everyone, since we’ve only ever had Deschamps. It will be a change for us, but I think everything will turn out very well.'
France will face Turkey in the Nations League on Friday, marking Zidane’s debut as the national team coach, followed by matches against Belgium and Italy.
Mbappe’s comments reflect the high regard in which he holds Zidane, noting that he is 'the player who most embodies the France team' and that Zidane left an 'indelible mark on French football'.
Yes, years ago (he took me to Real Madrid’s training ground),
Kylian Mbappe, French football star
It’s like something out of a movie, but he’s top-level.
Kylian Mbappe, French football star
