Zinedine Zidane Names Kylian Mbappé Captain of France
Zinedine Zidane has wasted no time putting his stamp on France. On Friday, the new Les Bleus coach confirmed what many expected but still carried weight: Kylian Mbappé will be his captain.
The Real Madrid forward, already the face of this generation, keeps the armband after a World Cup in which he dragged France forward and finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals. It wasn’t enough to stop Spain in the semi-finals, but it cemented his status as the leader of this side. Zidane has now made that official.
Zidane era begins after Deschamps’ long reign
Zidane steps into a role that belonged to Didier Deschamps for 14 years, a tenure defined by the 2018 World Cup triumph and regular deep runs at major tournaments. The two men once shared a dressing room in the France teams that lifted the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Now Zidane, unveiled at the end of July on a four-year deal, inherits the job his former captain held for more than a decade.
His first tests come fast.
France open their UEFA Nations League campaign away to Turkey next Friday, then face Belgium in Brussels on September 28. Zidane’s first night on the touchline at the Stade de France arrives on October 2 against Italy, before Belgium visit Paris three days later. It’s a demanding start and his first squad reflects both continuity and a sharp turn towards the future.
New blood and big calls
At 54, the former Ballon d’Or winner and three-time Champions League–winning coach has not shied away from bold decisions in his first list. The man whose own playing career ended in that infamous 2006 World Cup final red card has opted for several fresh faces and a few headline omissions.
Jeremy Jacquet, the 21-year-old centre-back, earns a call-up on the back of his strong start with Liverpool after a summer move to the Premier League. Up front, Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1, is rewarded with a first selection. Lucas Da Cunha, impressing with Como in Serie A, also steps into the international frame.
Andy Diouf, capable of operating in midfield or at wing-back for Inter Milan, joins the group, as does Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, another marker of Zidane’s willingness to trust youth.
The flipside is the absence of some big names. Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Inter forward Marcus Thuram, both at the World Cup, miss out this time. Arsenal defender William Saliba is also unavailable through injury. For a first squad, these are statements as much as selections.
The squad Zidane will lead into the Nations League
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Robin Risser (Lens), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse)
- Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan/ITA), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool/ENG), Ibrahima Konaté (Real Madrid/ESP), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus/ITA), Jules Koundé (Barcelona/ESP), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea/ENG), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Lucas Da Cunha (Como/ITA), Manu Koné (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan/ITA), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool/ENG), Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué (both Paris Saint-Germain), Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER)
Mbappé wears the armband. Zidane takes the reins. The fixtures come thick and fast. Now we find out how quickly this new France can become his team.
