Kylian Mbappe says France reunion with Zinedine Zidane is ‘like a film’

Kylian Mbappe says the chance to play for France under Zinedine Zidane feels like a “film”, after the former Real Madrid midfielder became the national team’s new manager.

Zidane replaced Didier Deschamps following the latter’s 14-year spell in charge and will take charge of France for the first time against Turkey in the Nations League on Friday.

France will also face Belgium twice and Italy as they begin their preparations for Euro 2028.

The appointment has particular significance for Mbappe, who first met Zidane when he was aged 13 or 14. 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 acknowledged that Zidane’s arrival represents a major change for a squad which had only known Deschamps as manager for more than a decade. However, the France captain paid tribute to Deschamps’ contribution to the national side.

“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, they have not yet discussed the forward’s 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,” Mbappe said.

Mbappe joins the France camp after making an impressive start to the season with Real Madrid, scoring eight goals in eight games.

Real Madrid have nevertheless fallen six points behind Barcelona in LaLiga after losing their derby against 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 refused to criticise the referee after 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.”