Zinedine Zidane Gives Esteban Lepaul a Moment He’ll Never Forget

The Rennes striker opened up about his first training sessions with Zinedine Zidane and an experience he will not soon forget.

From Dream Call-Up to Feeling at Home With France

Esteban Lepaul is living through a moment that would have been difficult to imagine just a few months ago. The Rennes striker faced the media for the first time at Clairefontaine after earning his maiden France call-up under Zinedine Zidane.

His place in the squad comes as a reward for an outstanding season. Lepaul finished the 2025-26 campaign as the Ligue 1 top scorer with 21 goals, a return that convinced him he was ready to compete for a place with Les Bleus.

The 26-year-old was welcomed into camp by France goalkeeping coach Fabien Barthez and reunited with several former academy teammates. But Lepaul has no intention of simply enjoying the experience from the sidelines: he wants minutes and the chance to contribute across France's four upcoming matches.

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Getting Passes From Zidane Is Hard to Beat

Any initial nerves quickly disappeared once training began. Part of the reason was an experience few French strikers could ever forget: Zidane feeding him passes as he worked on his finishing.

“What better way to practice in front of goal than by receiving a few passes from Zinédine Zidane?” Lepaul said when reflecting on his first sessions with the new France coach.

“The stress and pressure disappeared very quickly. It's a dream, but I want to be a part of this training camp. My first objective is to win all four matches as a team,” he added, making it clear he wants to be much more than a privileged observer.

Zidane's Message That Hit Home With the Squad

Zidane's early work with France has extended beyond the training pitch. Lepaul revealed that the coach organized a team meeting featuring a video celebrating the history and legacy of Les Bleus.

The idea was to remind a reshaped squad what it means to represent a two-time world champion and the responsibility that comes with wearing the famous blue shirt.

“He wanted us to understand what it will mean for us. We have to be major players in our own history,” Lepaul explained. “It's necessary, especially with a new group, to instil a certain culture. There are no players who underestimate this blue jersey.”

Lepaul Wants to Make His France Opportunity Count

Now comes the part that matters most for the Rennes striker. France face four matches in just 14 days, a demanding schedule that could give Lepaul opportunities to earn his first senior international minutes.

The forward is confident in his work off the ball and arrives at Clairefontaine after spending an entire season proving just how dangerous he can be inside the penalty area.

His next objective is clear: score his first goal for France if Zidane gives him the opportunity. After international duty, Lepaul will return to Rennes determined to maintain the form that took him from Ligue 1 to the French national team.

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Key Takeaways

Esteban Lepaul earned his maiden France call-up after finishing as the Ligue 1 top scorer with 21 goals.
The Rennes striker revealed he practiced his finishing while receiving passes from Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane showed the squad a video about France's history and legacy to reinforce the significance of representing Les Bleus.