France fans give Zinedine Zidane a hero’s welcome on return to Stade de France

Zinedine Zidane received a rapturous reception from France supporters as he returned to Stade de France for the first time as manager of the national team, 28 years after scoring his first international goal at the stadium.

Zidane was in the dugout for France’s meeting with Italy on Friday evening in the third round of the UEFA Nations League. Although he was no longer wearing the France shirt on the pitch, his presence at the national stadium carried strong personal and historical significance.

The home crowd erupted when the stadium announcer introduced Zidane before kick-off. Applause and chants spread through the stands, underlining the enduring affection for the former France midfielder and his importance to the supporters.

Fans also unveiled a large commemorative banner in his honour. It read: “Zizou, welcome home.”

The artwork was created by the French supporters’ group Irresistibles, adding a celebratory atmosphere to Zidane’s return to the venue where he helped begin his international journey.

The occasion also marked 28 years since Zidane scored his first goal for France at the same stadium. That moment represented an early milestone in a career that would go on to become one of the most celebrated in the history of the national side.

While Zidane experienced the match from the manager’s bench, the reception revived memories of the player who established himself as one of France’s greatest football figures. The response from the crowd showed that his standing among French supporters remains undiminished, even after nearly three decades since his first international goal at Stade de France.