Kylian Mbappe says playing under new France coach Zinedine Zidane feels like “something from a film”, 15 years after their first meeting.
The France captain spoke on Monday as Les Bleus prepared for Zidane’s opening match against Turkiye in Izmit on Friday. The Nations League fixture begins a new chapter following Didier Deschamps’s departure after 14 years in charge.
From Madrid trial to France reunion
Mbappe recalled meeting Zidane during a trial for Real Madrid’s youth teams in an interview with Spanish daily AS.
“He was the first person who picked me up to take me to Real Madrid, to the training complex. I was 13 or 14, so it was a long time ago,” Mbappe said.
“Now he’s my national team coach. It’s like a film, but it’s amazing. It’s real.”
Read More: Messi Loses World Cup Record as Mbappe Hits Historic 22nd Goal
The former Real Madrid manager succeeds Deschamps after a disappointing finish to France’s World Cup campaign. Spain comfortably defeated the two-time world champions in July’s semi-finals, ending Deschamps’s final tournament.
Mbappe now faces a different voice in the dressing room as France turn their attention towards the next European Championship.
Euro 2028 preparations begin
France will play four Nations League matches during the expanded international break. Alongside the Turkiye fixture, they face Belgium twice and host Italy at the Stade de France.
“We’re starting a new process with France. We have two years to prepare for the European Championship and that’s what we’re focused on now,” Mbappe said.
“It’s a new era with a new coach. We have the Nations League coming up, four games, and we’ll see how they go.
“It’s going to be new for everyone because all we’ve known is Deschamps. It’s going to be a change for us, but I think everything is going to go very well.”
UEFA’s confirmed Euro 2028 schedule includes 51 matches across nine venues in eight cities. England, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales will stage the tournament.
Madrid pressure follows derby defeat
Mbappe also addressed Real Madrid’s difficult start under returning manager Jose Mourinho, despite his own eight goals in eight appearances across competitions.
He failed to score in Sunday’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid. Madrid already trail reigning La Liga champions Barcelona by six points.
Mourinho returned to the Santiago Bernabeu with the task of ending two seasons without a major trophy.
Read More: Mbappé Overtakes Messi Without Scoring More Goals
“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.
While Mourinho criticised the derby officiating, Mbappe declined to follow his manager’s approach.
“I have my thoughts, but I keep them to myself. I’ve never been that kind of player and I’m not going to start now,” he said.
“The referee is human and makes mistakes, and there were mistakes, but I don’t want to get into that.”
