Mbappe says Zidane reunion feels 'like a film' ahead of France's Nations League matches

Mbappe said playing under new France coach Zinedine Zidane feels "like something from a film," recalling how Zidane first picked him up for a Real Madrid youth trial when he was 13 or 14. "Now he's my national team coach. It's like a film, but it's amazing. It's real," Mbappe told Spanish daily AS, following Zidane's appointment after Deschamps' 14-year stint ended with World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain.

After Real Madrid's 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid where Mbappe didn't score, he acknowledged refereeing mistakes but said: "I have my thoughts, but I keep them to myself. I've never been that kind of player." France now focuses on four Nations League matches - starting with Turkey in Izmit - as preparation for Euro 2028.

With Mbappe enjoying eight goals in eight games for Real Madrid this season, the derby loss leaves Madrid six points behind Barcelona in La Liga. For Nigerian football fans tracking these storylines, does this mentor-reunion narrative add meaningful momentum to France's campaign, or is it primarily a feel-good sidebar to the team's actual preparations?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/21/playing-under-new-france-coach-zidane-is-like-a-film-mbappe/