Zidane and Mbappé Reunite
Zinedine Zidane assumes control as France coach, reuniting with newly named captain Kylian Mbappé.
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Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as France coach reunites him with Kylian Mbappé, whom he welcomed to Real Madrid’s training ground as a teenager in 2012; Mbappé called their reunion “like a film.” Zidane has named Mbappé captain and plans to use him on the left wing, saying the role will give him more of the ball. Mbappé missed a training session with an illness ahead of the Nations League fixtures. Zidane’s first match in charge begins a new era after Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure, with Mbappé saying France is focused on the Nations League and preparing for the next European Championship.
Key Points
1
When Real Madrid invited Mbappé and his family to Spain in 2012, the club arranged a week-long visit that included a private box at the Bernabéu and training sessions alongside players such as Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbappé ultimately joined Monaco instead.
2
Zidane’s managerial debut is scheduled to be against Turkey in Izmit. French broadcaster TF1 is showing the match, and the article says the network expects Zidane’s arrival to boost public interest in the national team.
3
Mbappé has played about 32 matches for France on the left wing, recording 21 goals and 16 assists there; in recent years, however, both his Real Madrid coaches and Didier Deschamps mainly used him as a center-forward.
4
Deschamps’ tenure ended after France’s semi-final defeat to Spain at the World Cup.
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