When Kylian Mbappé talks, the soccer world pays attention. But when he talks about Zinedine Zidane? That’s different. That’s a sacred territory.
In a recent sit-down with L’Équipe, Mbappé couldn’t hide his reverence for the Real Madrid and French football icon:
"With him, there's no need to make things complicated. He's Zidane. No one is going to say no. Only he can do it. If its him, OK! And if its someone else, OK too. But he's the only one in the history of French football who has almost all the rights."
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé just opened the door for Zidane to replace Deschamps
For most managers, respect is enough. For Zinedine Zidane, respect barely scratches the surface. He is a legend. From the World Cup in 1998, the Euro triumph in 2000, to the Champions League three-peat as Real Madrid coach, these moments elevated him above ordinary soccer figures. He is France’s eternal icon, both on the pitch and on the touchline.
His presence carries a weight few in football can match. Every time a top job opens, his name doesn’t just appear, but it dominates the conversation. Clubs, players, and fans treat him as the ultimate benchmark of credibility and success.
And then comes Mbappé. When the brightest star of a new generation calls you the one man with “all the rights” in French football, it’s more than admiration. It’s validation. It’s the heir to the throne acknowledging the king, reinforcing Zidane’s status not just as a past legend, but as a figure expected to carry Les Bleus into the next decade.
🗣️ Kylian Mbappé: "Zidane as next France coach? Nobody is going to say no. Only he can say no. If it's him, fine! If it's someone else, fine too."
"He's the only one in French football history who has almost all the rights." @lequipe pic.twitter.com/oXGHCB07Cf
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 10, 2025
Mbappé and Zidane: two generations, same story
Mbappé has always carried Zidane’s shadow with him; from the posters on his wall as a kid to the inevitable comparisons every French prodigy faces. Zidane set the standard; Mbappé has spent his career chasing it, bending the game to his will in ways that feel eerily familiar.
Their careers never overlapped on the pitch, but the connection is undeniable. Zidane embodies France’s golden past: the World Cup in ’98, the Champions League glory, the artistry that defined a generation.
Mbappé, on the other hand, is the present and future: a World Cup winner before 20, and a player rewriting records at frightening speed. Together, they feel like two sides of the same coin, separated by time but united by legacy.
Now, as captain of France and the world’s most marketable star, he’s effectively campaigning for Zidane to take the reins when Deschamps eventually steps aside. It feels like destiny: Zidane the leader, Mbappé the superstar, France the powerhouse.
Deschamps’ long reign under scrutiny
Deschamps confirmed he will leave after 2026. With his departure now official, the French Football Federation (FFF) faces a major task: they must pick someone to lead a generational transition or maintain continuity. Zidane’s name is already the most cited by fans, media, and influential voices in French football.
Didier Deschamps has been in charge since 2012, a tenure that has delivered a World Cup, a Nations League, and a Euro final. But time is a ruthless opponent. Criticism has grown over his conservative tactics, over-reliance on defensive setups, and reluctance to fully unleash France’s attacking depth.
Though Deschamps’ contract runs until 2026, whispers of change are getting louder. A disappointing tournament could be all it takes for the federation to reconsider.
Why Mbappé’s words matter
This isn’t just any player voicing admiration. Mbappé isn’t a squad member: he’s the captain, the leader, the one player whose voice resonates inside and outside Clairefontaine. His backing of Zidane sends a message not only to fans but to the French Football Federation: the dressing room would welcome Zizou.
And in soccer politics, player power matters. Especially when the player in question is Kylian Mbappé.
The Madrid question still lingers
Of course, Zidane’s name will always be linked to Real Madrid. Every time the Bernabéu experiences turbulence, “Zizou return?” trends online. He is stitched into the club’s fabric as both legend and savior, the man who delivered three straight Champions League titles and restored order whenever chaos loomed. Madridistas still view him as the ultimate fallback plan, a man who can walk through the door at any moment and steady the ship.
But soccer careers, even managerial ones, evolve. Zidane has already lived the Madrid story twice. A third chapter would risk redundancy, while a new challenge could elevate his legacy even further.
That’s where France enters the conversation. Unlike Madrid, Zidane has never coached his country. For a man who lifted the World Cup as a player and inspired a nation in 1998, the opportunity to guide Les Bleus from the touchline carries a sense of unfinished destiny.
The bottom line
Mbappé’s words weren’t offhand praise. They were a statement. Zidane isn’t just respected he’s inevitable. And as long as Deschamps remains under pressure, the possibility of Zidane leading Les Bleus feels closer than ever.
For fans, it’s a dream. For Mbappé, it’s a plan. And for French soccer, it might be the next golden era waiting to happen.