Kylian Mbappe: Working With Zinedine Zidane for France is 'like a film'

By SABC Sport
22nd September 2026

Kylian Mbappe has described the prospect of playing under Zinedine Zidane for France as a remarkable full-circle moment, recalling that the legendary midfielder was already part of his football journey when he was a teenager.

Zidane, who replaced Deschamps after the latter's 14-year spell in charge, will take charge of France for the first time when they face Turkey in the Nations League on Friday. France will also meet Belgium twice and Italy as they begin preparations for Euro 2028.

For Mbappe, Zidane's appointment has a special significance. The pair first met when Mbappe was 13 or 14 and Zidane helped take the young player to Real Madrid's training complex during a trial.

"He was the first to pick me up and take me to Real Madrid, to the training complex. I was 13 or 14, so it was a long time ago," Mbappe told AS.

"Now he's my national team coach. It's like something from a film, but it's amazing. It's real."

Mbappe said the change would be significant for a France squad that has known only Deschamps for more than a decade, but paid tribute to his former coach's achievements.

"First of all, we must pay tribute to what Didier Deschamps achieved with the France national team," Mbappe said. "He made history and restored the France national team to its natural standing, and we will always be grateful to him."

He added: "It's a new phase with a new coach. 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."

Although Mbappe and Zidane both live in Madrid and have met several times, the France captain said they had not yet discussed his role in detail.

"I will wait until I see him at Clairefontaine. I think there is no better place than to see him on the training pitch," he said.

Mbappe also arrives in the France camp after a strong start to the season with Real Madrid, scoring eight goals in eight games. Madrid, however, have already fallen six points behind Barcelona in LaLiga following their derby defeat to Atletico Madrid.

"Other people can talk, but we have to do more and work to bring the excitement back to Real Madrid and bring the trophies back," Mbappe said.

He also declined to criticise the referee following the 2-1 defeat. "I have my thoughts, but I keep them to myself," he said. "The referee is human and makes mistakes, and there were mistakes, but I don't want to get into that."