France captain Kylian Mbappe has described the experience of working under new national team coach Zinedine Zidane as “like a film.”
Zidane is set to take charge of France for the first time on Friday when they face Turkey in a Nations League match in Izmit, following Didier Deschamps’ departure.
Mbappe, who previously worked with Zidane at Real Madrid, recalled meeting the French football legend as a teenager during a trial with the Spanish club.
“He was the first person who picked me up to take me to Real Madrid. I was 13 or 14, so it was a long time ago,” Mbappe told Spanish newspaper AS.
“Now he’s my national team coach. It’s like a film, but it’s amazing. It’s real.”
Mbappe said France are entering a new era under Zidane and will use the Nations League matches to prepare for Euro 2028.
“It’s a new era with a new coach. It’s going to be new for everyone because all we’ve known is Deschamps,” he said.
Mbappe has also started the season strongly for Real Madrid, scoring eight goals in eight appearances across all competitions.
