Kylian Mbappé Named Captain of France Under Zidane
Zinedine Zidane has wasted no time putting his stamp on France. On Friday, the new Les Bleus coach confirmed what many expected but still carries real weight: Kylian Mbappé will be his captain.
The Real Madrid forward, already the face of French football, now becomes the official leader of Zidane’s new era. Mbappé excelled with the armband at the recent World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals as France reached the semi-finals before falling to eventual champions Spain. His authority in that run has clearly convinced Zidane he is the man to carry the group.
Deschamps’ 14-year reign ended with that defeat, closing a chapter defined by the 2018 World Cup triumph and near-constant contention on the biggest stages. Zidane, his former teammate in the sides that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, was unveiled at the end of July on a four-year deal. Now the transition moves from theory to reality.
A new cycle, a new core
Zidane’s first squad underlines both continuity and a sharp edge of renewal. The 54-year-old, a former Ballon d’Or winner whose own playing career ended in infamy with his red card for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final, has not shied away from bold calls.
He has turned to several fresh faces. Centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, 21, earns a first call-up on the back of his early impact at Liverpool since his summer move to the Premier League. Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1, is rewarded with a debut selection in attack. In midfield, Lucas Da Cunha of Como in Serie A steps into the international frame, while Inter Milan’s versatile Andy Diouf – capable of operating in midfield or at wing-back – also gets the nod. Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes completes the list of newcomers.
Those decisions come with high-profile omissions. Aurelien Tchouameni, a key figure at the World Cup, is absent from the squad, as is Inter forward Marcus Thuram. Arsenal defender William Saliba misses out through injury. Zidane has made it clear: past involvement is no guarantee in this new cycle.
Nations League baptism
The Zidane era will begin in the UEFA Nations League, with competitive stakes from the first whistle. France travel to Turkey next Friday, a potentially hostile opening assignment, before heading to Brussels to face Belgium on September 28.
His first home match in charge arrives on October 2 against Italy at the Stade de France, a fixture loaded with historical resonance given Zidane’s own final act as a player came against the Azzurri. Three days later, France will host Belgium, offering an early measure of how quickly this reshaped squad can absorb his ideas.
Zidane’s first France 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)
Mbappé now stands at the centre of it all – captain, talisman, standard-bearer – as Zidane begins to write his own chapter on the France touchline. The question is no longer whether this team has talent. It’s how quickly this new hierarchy can turn it into trophies.
