Kylian Mbappe Named Captain by Zinedine Zidane for New Era of France

Zinedine Zidane has wasted no time putting his stamp on France. On Friday, the new Les Bleus coach confirmed what many expected but still carries weight: Kylian Mbappe will be his captain.

The Real Madrid forward wore the armband at the World Cup and lit up the tournament, finishing as top scorer with 10 goals. France still fell short, beaten by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals, but Mbappe’s authority and influence were impossible to miss. Zidane has decided that will be the foundation of his new era.

A new era is exactly what this is. Didier Deschamps’ 14-year reign ended after that World Cup campaign, closing a chapter defined by the 2018 World Cup triumph and near-constant contention for major honours. Zidane, his former midfield partner in the France sides that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, stepped in at the end of July on a four-year deal, charged with reshaping a team that has known little but success.

Now the fixtures come quickly. Zidane’s first test arrives in the UEFA Nations League with an away trip to Turkey next Friday. Belgium await in Brussels on September 28. Then comes the home unveiling: Italy at the Stade de France on October 2, followed by another clash with Belgium in Paris three days later. It is a demanding opening run, and Zidane has chosen to refresh rather than simply recycle.

The 54-year-old, a former Ballon d'Or winner whose own playing career ended in infamy with that headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final defeat to Italy, has named several new faces in his first squad. The message is clear: reputation alone will not carry anyone.

Jeremy Jacquet is the headline newcomer at the back. The 21-year-old centre-back earns his first call-up after impressing since his move to Liverpool in the close season. His rise has been rapid; Zidane has decided not to wait.

Up front, Esteban Lepaul gets his reward. The Rennes striker, last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1, finally joins the senior set-up after forcing his way into the conversation with relentless goals. In midfield, Lucas Da Cunha of Como in Serie A steps in, a nod to Zidane’s willingness to look beyond the traditional French powerhouses.

Andy Diouf, capable of operating in midfield or at wing-back for Inter Milan, also breaks through, while Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes is called up to compete with established No.1 Mike Maignan and Lens’ Robin Risser. These are not cosmetic changes. They are places that could have gone to familiar names.

Some of those familiar names are missing. Aurelien Tchouameni, a central figure at the World Cup and now at Real Madrid, is not in this squad. Neither is Inter forward Marcus Thuram. Injury rules out Arsenal defender William Saliba. For a first list, the omissions are as striking as the inclusions.

The core of France’s star power remains. Mbappe leads a forward line that also includes Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Esteban Lepaul and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise. Behind them, Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone, Warren Zaire-Emery and Lucas Da Cunha form a technically gifted midfield unit.

In defence, Ibrahima Konate, Pierre Kalulu, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert and Dayot Upamecano join Jacquet and Diouf, offering Zidane a blend of pace, power and ball-playing ability.

The first Zidane 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)

Mbappe wears the armband. Zidane holds the pen. The Nations League will show how quickly this new script can come to life.