Kylian Mbappe greeted Zinedine Zidane with a warm welcome as he takes on the role of head coach for the French national team. This marks the dawn of a new chapter for Les Bleus, following their unsatisfactory performance at the 2026 World Cup.
Event Context
Didier Deschamps concluded his tenure after leading French football through one of its most prosperous eras. Under his guidance, the team secured the 2018 World Cup title, claimed the Nations League in 2021, and reached the finals of both Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.
Player Focus
On Tuesday, Mbappe took to his Instagram story to share the French Football Federation’s announcement, captioning it with “Bienvenue chez toi,” which translates to “welcome home.” This came just hours after the highly anticipated confirmation of Zidane’s appointment.
The significance of this brief message cannot be understated. Mbappe has openly expressed his admiration for Zidane, viewing him as an idol during his upbringing in Bondy, and he has long articulated his desire to collaborate with the former France and Real Madrid midfielder.
Their connection goes beyond being two of the most prominent figures in French football. Zidane played a role in Mbappe’s early visit to Real Madrid’s training facilities, a visit that occurred years before the young forward joined the Spanish club.
In 2024, the two were reunited at the Santiago Bernabeu when Mbappe was officially presented as a Real Madrid player, with Zidane being a significant influence in fulfilling the forward’s childhood dream of playing for the club.
Mbappe had been vocal about his support for Zidane taking over from Didier Deschamps even before the news was made official, making his Instagram post a fitting response to the much-anticipated partnership in French football.
Since March 2023, Mbappe has served as captain of the national team, a role appointed to him by Deschamps following Hugo Lloris’ retirement from international duty.
During his unveiling, Zidane refrained from confirming the captaincy and noted that he had yet to communicate with Mbappe. He emphasized the importance of allowing players time to recuperate after a demanding domestic season and the World Cup. Zidane announced that discussions with Mbappe and the rest of the French squad would occur when the team reunites in September.
As the central figure in the national squad, Mbappe enters this new era under Zidane’s leadership. He holds the record as France’s all-time leading goalscorer with 66 goals and showcased his talent during the recent World Cup in North America, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals.
For Mbappe, this upcoming phase marks the beginning of a new chapter alongside the individual he once idolized, and his two-word welcome signals that he is prepared to embrace this transition.
Team Analysis
After a five-year hiatus from management following his exit from Real Madrid in 2021, Zidane has stepped in to lead the national team. He is set to debut as head coach on September 25, when France heads to Turkiye to kick off their new Nations League campaign.
Mbappe expected to remain France captain
The focus now shifts to Kylian Mbappe’s position under the new head coach. As reported by Le Parisien, the 27-year-old is anticipated to maintain his role as the captain of the French national team under Zidane’s leadership.
Despite his personal achievements, Mbappe was unable to secure another trophy for France, as the team ended up in fourth place, marking a disappointing end to Didier Deschamps’ remarkable 14-year reign as coach.
Also Read: Zinedine Zidane Appointed as France Coach, Returning to Management After Leaving Real Madrid in 2021
