France captain Kylian Mbappe is set to lead the national team under legendary manager Zinedine Zidane, and still feels like he is in a movie.
The Real Madrid man was named as part of the 23-man squad for Les Bleus as they convene for the first time under their new boss.
The European team finished in fourth place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mbappe playing a key role for the team under previous manager Didier Deschamps.
Mbappe's path crossed with 'Zizou' first over a decade ago, when he was just a young boy with dreams of becoming one of the greats.
Now playing under the same man feels surreal for the 27-year-old, as he has revealed in an interview.
Mbappe Describes 'Movie' Feeling With Zidane
Kylian Mbappe spoke with Spanish newspaper AS ahead of joining up with the French national team for the first time with Zidane in charge.
The former Real Madrid star was named as the new manager of the senior national team after the World Cup, replacing former teammate Didier Deschamps, who spent 14 years as national team manager.
Mbappe pointed out that he had been picked up and driven around Real Madrid's training ground as a youngster many years ago.
"Yes, years ago (he took me to Real Madrid's training ground).
"He was the first, to pick me up and take me to Real Madrid, to the training complex. I was 13 or 14, it was ages ago."
"And now he’s my national team coach. It’s like something out of a movie, but he's top-level. Everything is going to be fine with him," he said.
By Mbappe's own admission, the event took place between 2011 and 2013, well after Zidane had hung up his boots as a professional player.
He was, at the time, working as a sporting director with Los Blancos, and Mbappe was possibly a prospect that was being looked at by the club.
Mbappe had a dream of playing for the Spanish giants since he was very young, and he was able to actualise the dream with his transfer to the club in 2024.
Zidane To Build On Positive End To Deschamps' Era
Zinedine Zidane has a solid foundation to build on as France manager, with his predecessor Didier Deschamps having left him a truck-load of top talents for the team.
France were imperious up until the semi-final stage of the World Cup this summer, before back-to-back defeats against Spain and England saw them end up in fourth place at the end of the tournament.
Zidane inherits a squad that has Mbappe at his devastating best, judging by his historic two-goal showing at the Mundial.
Michael Olise is another who is set to be a central figure for the team for many years, as are the likes of current Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Desire Doue.
He also has the experience of Adrien Rabiot and Mike Maignan to call on, as well as the defensive steel that includes new Liverpool sensation Jeremy Jacquet.
Like during his hugely successful spell as Real Madrid manager, Zidane may not need to do so much in terms of tactics, as he has world-class talent in every part of the pitch.
He will hope that they get up off to a winning start in their UEFA Nations League games this month, as they will continue to build up to Euro 2028.
The French have not won a European Championship since 2000, and Zidane's first task will be to bring back the trophy he won as a player 26 years ago.
