"A New Era" for the French National Team with Zidane
Paris - AFP - Zinedine Zidane spent years patiently waiting for his opportunity to take charge of the French national team. On Friday, he will lead the "Les Bleus" for the first time, succeeding Didier Deschamps, in a European Nations League match against Turkey.
Zidane, 54, is considered one of the greatest players in the history of French football, alongside Michel Platini. Although Deschamps was the captain of the first French team to win the World Cup in 1998 on home soil, and later captained the squad that won Euro 2000, Zidane was the true source of inspiration for that generation, thanks to his exceptional playmaking talent, extraordinary ball control, and strong competitive character.
Zidane ended his international playing career 20 years ago in the famous 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, when he was sent off after headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi during extra time, before France lost on penalties. That match was Zidane’s 108th and final appearance in the French national team jersey.
The Marseille-born player, who comes from an Algerian immigrant family, left his country at the age of 24 when he moved from Bordeaux to Italy’s Juventus. Zidane never returned to play in France thereafter, spending five years in Italy before enjoying the best period of his football career with Spain’s Real Madrid. He later returned to the club as a manager in two separate stints, leading them to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018. His second managerial tenure ended in 2021, and since then he has been content to wait for the right moment and prepare for the role he had been anticipating.
Zidane announced his first squad, which included several new names, amid expectations that the French team under his leadership will play a more attacking style of football compared to most of Deschamps’ tenure, at least up to the most recent World Cup.
He said: “You will see how I view football. Playing beautiful football is what motivates me. There will always be balance in the team, but I want to see our national team play, and I believe we have the players capable of doing so.”
After years of prioritizing effectiveness over aesthetic style—a approach that attracted some criticism but led France to the 2028 World Cup title—Deschamps realized during this year’s tournament in North America that he had players capable of playing a more attacking game.
France entered the tournament as strong title contenders, but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Spain. Nevertheless, Kylian Mbappé finished the tournament as the top scorer with 10 goals, while Michael Olise delivered standout performances, and Ousmane Dembélé, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, shone at intervals. All three are included in Zidane’s squad, who confirmed that Mbappé will continue as the team captain.
The new manager’s first major goal will be to lead France at Euro 2028 in Britain and Ireland, ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
