Zinedine Zidane Names Kylian Mbappe 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 is his captain.

The Real Madrid forward wore the armband with authority at the World Cup, dragging France through games and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals. It still wasn’t enough to stop eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals, but it cemented his status as the natural leader of this new era.

Deschamps’ 14-year reign ended with that defeat, closing a chapter defined by the 2018 World Cup triumph and a culture of relentless competitiveness. Zidane, his former teammate from the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 glory years, 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 tests come quickly. France open their UEFA Nations League campaign away to Turkey next Friday, then head to Brussels to face Belgium on September 28. His first night at the Stade de France arrives on October 2 against Italy, followed by a home rematch with Belgium three days later.

Those fixtures will offer an immediate look at how bold Zidane intends to be. His first squad suggests he is not clinging to old certainties.

At 54, the former Ballon d’Or winner has turned to several new faces. Centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, just 21, earns a call-up on the back of his impressive start to life at Liverpool after his summer move to the Premier League. Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1, is rewarded with a first selection and a clear message that domestic form still matters.

Lucas Da Cunha, now at Como in Serie A, steps into the midfield group, while versatile Inter Milan player Andy Diouf — capable of operating in midfield or at wing-back — also joins the squad. Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes completes the list of newcomers, handed a chance to stake a claim in a position France have historically guarded closely.

Big Names Left Out

The fresh blood comes at a cost for some established stars. Aurelien Tchouameni, a mainstay in midfield at the World Cup, is not included. Nor is Inter forward Marcus Thuram. Arsenal defender William Saliba misses out through injury, removing one of the key figures from Deschamps’ defensive pool.

Zidane has not explained these calls in public detail yet, but the message is clear enough: reputations alone will not protect places.

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)

This is Zidane’s France: Mbappe with the armband, a core of familiar stars around him, and a cluster of hungry newcomers pushing at the door. The Nations League will show whether this is just the start of a gentle evolution — or the opening act of a full-scale reboot of Les Bleus.