The future of the French national team after Didier Deschamps' departure in 2026 remains a hot topic. Although Kylian Mbappé has refrained from directly commenting on his potential successor, his admiration for Zinedine Zidane is undeniable.

In a recent interview on TF1’s news program, the Real Madrid forward spoke about Deschamps’ impact on the national team over the years. “It would be a huge loss when you consider everything he has done for France. He brought the team back to the top, and that deserves recognition,” the player stated.

The captain of the French national team also highlighted the coach’s ambition to finish his tenure with a title: “He wants to end on a high note, and we will try to win the World Cup for him as well.”

"If Zidane Comes, It Would Be a Pleasure"

When discussing the future of France’s coaching position, Mbappé avoided making predictions about Zidane’s potential appointment but made his admiration for the legend clear. “Everyone knows which name is being mentioned, but that’s not my decision. You have to ask Diallo,” he said, referring to the French Football Federation president.

However, he didn’t hold back in praising Zidane: “He made history with the national team and will always have a place in the hearts of the French people.” When asked if he would like Zidane to take over, Mbappé remained diplomatic: “I try not to talk too much about this because it’s not my role. We already have a coach, and he deserves respect. My admiration for Zidane is well known, but we must respect those currently in charge. If he comes, it would be an immense pleasure, but it's not my decision.”

For now, Mbappé is focused on France’s upcoming challenges, including the Nations League quarterfinals against Croatia, and his ultimate goal: winning the 2026 World Cup. “I want to be world champion again, that’s my priority,” he concluded.