Tchouameni's France Decision: Mourinho Clarifies Zidane's Role

Aurelien Tchouameni will sit out France’s next four matches under new boss Zinedine Zidane – and José Mourinho insists Real Madrid had nothing to do with it.

The midfielder has been battling a groin problem and has barely featured this season, with only three appearances and a single start in a 3-2 defeat to Elche. For a player expected to anchor Madrid’s midfield, it has been a stuttering, stop–start campaign.

On the eve of the Madrid derby, Mourinho moved to clear the air. Questions had begun to swirl around whether the club had leaned on the French federation to keep Tchouameni at Valdebebas during the international window.

The answer was blunt.

“I had no influence on the decision. I didn't call Zidane and Zidane didn't call me. It took me by surprise,” Mourinho said. The choice, he stressed, was made directly between Zidane and Tchouameni. No pressure from Madrid, no behind-the-scenes manoeuvring.

According to Mourinho, the conversation between the new France coach and the player centred on one thing: recovery. “They discussed and agreed that the best thing for him was to use this break to do the pre-season he couldn't do,” he explained.

That missing pre-season has haunted Tchouameni’s year. Without a proper physical base, his minutes have been limited and his influence reduced. Mourinho did not hide the fact that this window, stripped of international travel and heavy minutes, is exactly what the midfielder needs.

The Portuguese coach framed the decision as a win for Madrid. Tchouameni stays in Spain, away from the intensity of international fixtures, with time to build fitness properly. No rushed returns. No half-measures.

“The national team manager let him know that he was counting on him for the future and they agreed on this decision which, for us, is a privilege,” Mourinho added. “Because after the derby, he will have his days off and will be able to come back stronger.”

The message from France is equally clear: this is a pause, not a break-up. Zidane still sees Tchouameni as part of his long-term plans; this is about protecting a key asset, not discarding him.

The calendar now falls kindly for Madrid. After Sunday’s derby, they do not play again until October 10, when Villarreal visit, with a Champions League tie against Roma four days later. It is a rare stretch of breathing space in a packed season.

For Tchouameni, it is an opportunity he cannot afford to waste. Heal now, rebuild his engine, and finally stake a serious claim to become one of Mourinho’s undisputed starters – or risk watching the season race away without him.