Why Kylian Mbappé is trying to avoid Zinédine Zidane in Madrid | OneFootball

France’s captain resides in Madrid and perhaps so does Les Bleus’ future manager. For now, however, they are avoiding crossing paths.

Kylian Mbappé (26) and Zinédine Zidane were on stage at the Bernabeu in the summer as the former was unveiled as a Real Madrid player. Zidane used to manage Los Blancos and has not been in management since leaving the club in 2021. However, there are intense rumours that a return could be made in 2026.

That is the year in which Didier Deschamps will leave his role as France manager. His departure will coincide with the end of the FIFA World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Zidane, who has always had his eyes on the national team job, is the current favourite to succeed Deschamps.

Mbappé refuses to comment on Zidane speculation

And that is why Mbappé is making a concerted effort to avoid Zidane, as he told Le Parisien. “[I’m] trying not to bump into him too much,” said the former Paris Saint-Germain forward, who said that he doesn’t want to feed “speculation” about the future managerial vacancy.

Asked specifically about the managerial situation with the national team, Mbappé did not wish to comment. “I know that you want me to speak about it but I won’t speak about him because it isn’t my role. There is a president of the federation and he will make the decision. Everyone is talking about Zidane and I won’t pretend that I’m living in a cave and don’t know what is happening but it isn’t for me to speak about it,” he said.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle