Being managed by Zidane for France is ‘like a movie’, says Mbappe

Zinedine Zidane will make his debut as France head coach in a UEFA Nations League game against Turkey. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Kylian Mbappe says being managed by Zinedine Zidane for the French national team ​is “like something out of a movie”. The pair ‌will work together for the first time ​during this international break, as Zidane ⁠returns to management five years after leaving Real Madrid.

Last week Mbappe referred to Zidane as “the player who ‌most embodies the France team”, noting that he left an indelible mark on ‌French football.

Mbappe is a key figure ‌for ⁠the current generation of French footballers, ⁠having led Les Bleus to their second World Cup in 2018, and helping them back to the final in ​2022. Zidane confirmed ‌last week that Mbappe would continue as France captain.

Speaking to Spanish paper AS, Mbappe explained that Zidane was present in his career from ‌his formative years.

“Yes, years ago (he took ​me to Real Madrid’s training ground),” said Mbappe. “He was the first, to pick ⁠me up and take me to Real Madrid, to the training complex. I was 13 or ‌14, it was ages ago.”

“And now he’s my national team coach. It’s like something out of a movie, but he’s top-level.”

Zidane replaced his former France teammate Didier Deschamps after the World Cup, ending a 14-year spell in ‌charge for the latter.

“It’s a new phase with a ​new coach,” said Mbappe. “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 faces ‌Turkey in the Nations League on Friday in Zidane’s debut as France manager, before ​fixtures against Belgium and Italy.