Zidane talk grows as France insist focus is on Brazil | OneFootball

The France camp ahead of Brazil has been coloured by fresh talk of Zinédine Zidane’s return, yet players insist their focus is elsewhere. In Le Figaro, federation president Philippe Diallo said he knew the name of Didier Deschamps’s successor while sketching Zidane’s profile, a line that has fuelled the noise.

Thinking of Zidane before Brazil inevitably revives July 1998 and that World Cup final, and the 2006 quarter-final, a 1-0 masterclass where he outshone Ronaldo, Kaká and Ronaldinho.

After 14 years in charge, Deschamps quickly sought to defuse the issue. He declined to comment on his president’s remarks, said he speaks directly with him, and stressed he would not waste energy on the debate. In recent weeks he had nonetheless kept tabs on names linked to a possible Zidane staff, notably members of the class of 1998.

Even before the squad headed to the United States, the topic was buzzing at FFF headquarters on boulevard de Grenelle. Rumours touched departments from the national technical set-up, including whether U19 coach Bernard Diomède might step up, to communications, which awaits clarity on any use of internal resources.

Among the players, the subject is not central. The Real Madrid contingent, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Kylian Mbappé, could cross paths with Zidane, and Mbappé has avoided being pictured with him in Madrid. He said they were not discussing Zidane and that more pressing matters come first, and the shadow of the legend is set to linger through to the World Cup.

Source: L'Équipe