Zinedine Zidane Names Kylian Mbappe as New Captain of France
Zinedine Zidane has wasted no time putting his stamp on France. On Friday, in his first squad announcement since replacing Didier Deschamps, he confirmed what many expected but still carried weight: Kylian Mbappe will captain Les Bleus.
The Real Madrid forward embraced the armband at the World Cup and lit up the tournament, finishing as top scorer with 10 goals. France fell in the semi-finals to eventual champions Spain, but Mbappe’s authority on and off the ball left a lasting impression. Zidane has now turned that audition into a permanent role.
It also draws a clear line between eras. Deschamps walked away after 14 years in charge, a spell crowned by the 2018 World Cup win and defined by relentless consistency. Zidane, his former teammate in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs, arrived at the end of July on a four-year contract with a different aura – less continuity, more renewal.
A new captain, a new core
Mbappe leads a squad that looks familiar at the top but fresher in its depth. Several World Cup names are missing, some through injury, others by choice. In their place, Zidane has opened the door to a new generation.
Jeremy Jacquet, just 21, is rewarded for an eye-catching start to life at Liverpool after his summer move to the Premier League. The centre-back’s inclusion underlines Zidane’s willingness to back form, not just reputation.
Up front, Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul earns a maiden call-up after finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer last season. It is the kind of selection that signals to domestic performers that the national team is within reach if they deliver.
There is also a first appearance for Lucas Da Cunha, the Como midfielder now operating in Serie A, while Inter Milan’s versatile Andy Diouf – capable of playing in midfield or at wing-back – joins the group as well. Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes completes the batch of new faces.
The flip side is a set of notable absentees. Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and Inter forward Marcus Thuram, both present at the World Cup, are left out this time. Arsenal defender William Saliba misses out through injury. Zidane has not torn the squad up, but he has clearly resisted the temptation to simply copy and paste Deschamps’ final lists.
Zidane’s first tests
The Zidane era will begin in the UEFA Nations League, and the schedule offers little room for a gentle introduction.
France travel to Turkey next Friday in his first match in charge, a fixture that will test both the team’s structure and Mbappe’s leadership in a hostile atmosphere. Then comes a trip to Brussels to face Belgium on September 28, a meeting that rarely feels like a friendly, regardless of competition.
The first night back at home under Zidane will be against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2, a heavyweight occasion for a coach whose own playing career with Les Bleus is forever tied to clashes with the Azzurri. Three days later, Belgium visit Saint-Denis, completing a demanding early run.
For a 54-year-old who retired from playing in 2006 after that infamous red card for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final – a match France lost on penalties to Italy – the return to the national stage carries a certain symmetry. This time, he stands on the touchline, Ballon d’Or winner turned national selector, responsible for shaping the next French cycle.
The squad in full
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Robin Risser (Lens), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse)
- Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan/ITA), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool/ENG), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid/ESP), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus/ITA), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea/ENG), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Lucas Da Cunha (Como/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan/ITA), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool/ENG), Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (both Paris Saint-Germain), Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER)
Zidane has his captain, his first squad, and a brutal opening run of fixtures. Now comes the real question: can this blend of established stars and bold newcomers carry France into a new golden era, or will the weight of what came before still hang over Les Bleus?
