Zinedine Zidane names Kylian Mbappe France captain as he outlines new era

Zinedine Zidane has confirmed Kylian Mbappe will captain France, while insisting the national team does not need a radical overhaul as he prepares for his first four Nations League matches in charge.

Zidane said Mbappe could operate in all three attacking positions, although he particularly admiated him on the left wing. He declined to engage in debate over the Ballon d’Or, saying his attention was focused on the four matches ahead.

On Karim Benzema, Zidane said: “I love him,” referring to the years they spent together at Real Madrid. However, he added that the striker was now older and that he currently needed to assess younger players. That decision, he stressed, did not diminish Benzema’s achievements for France or at club level.

Aurelien Tchouameni was left out because of his fitness. He had been sidelined for two months and played only 180 minutes, starting one match. Zidane said remaining at Real Madrid to complete his recovery was “better for him”, particularly with France facing four games in a short period.

Asked about the controversy surrounding Ceuta, Zidane refused to comment. “I am focused on my role as France coach. I have my convictions and, like everyone else, I am a citizen, but I have nothing to say,” he said.

No major changes planned

Zidane said he would not make sweeping changes to the side inherited from Didier Deschamps.

“There is no need for a radical change, only a team to manage in a different way,” he said, adding that France had performed well so far despite some fluctuations.

The coaching staff and players will spend 15 days together, playing four matches three days apart. Zidane said that schedule meant the whole squad would need to contribute, while maintaining the balance he considers central to his approach.

He selected a 23-man squad, made up of 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers, because he did not want players left in the stands. The decision does not mean the door is closed to others.

Among the new selections, Lucas da Cunha was described as an interesting player with a strong personality, while Maxence Lacroix was praised as “a very good player” who had moved to a major club and possessed a left foot.

Esteban Lepaul offered different qualities, particularly in tight spaces, and Zidane said he wanted to see him close-up after monitoring and analysing him. He also highlighted Lepaul’s ability to score.

Ryan Cherki was called “a real number 10”, capable of dribbling and operating between the lines. Zidane said he and Warren Zaire-Emery had been selected with the intention of using Cherki in midfield.

Zidane said he had followed Jeremy Jacquet for a long time and been impressed by his qualities. Andy Diouf and Adrien Truffert were chosen because they can play in their positions at international level.

N’Golo Kante’s omission was a technical decision, not a reflection of his ability. Zidane called him “exceptional”, but noted that the midfielder is 35 and that selections must reflect the team’s needs.

Malo Gusto and Maghnes Akliouche remain under consideration for future squads. Guillaume Restes’ selection as the Toulouse goalkeeper was also carefully considered, with Zidane saying he and Fabien Barthez share the same view of the position.

Tactically, Zidane may use Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise in their usual roles while taking advantage of their versatility, but he warned against “overdoing it” by selecting four forwards.

He also rejected criticism of Mbappe’s defensive work as a “sterile” debate, saying every player must work to win the ball back when France lose possession.