Zinédine Zidane Embraces Aimé Jacquet Ahead of France vs. Belgium Match
«Mémé, c’était quelqu’un qui aimait ses joueurs. Il transmettait beaucoup de confiance, de liberté et de bienveillance. Je lui ai dit que j’étais content de le voir, car je sais qu’il ne sort pas beaucoup,» stated Zinédine Zidane regarding his former manager.
The French Football Federation (FFF) kept the 84-year-old’s attendance strictly confidential, engineering a poignant pre-match reunion between the legendary 1998 World Cup-winning boss and his former playmaker before Les Bleus faced Belgium.
An Unannounced Reunion at the Stade de France
The pre-match gathering featured a warm embrace between Jacquet and Zidane. Reporters noted the powerful symbolism of the interaction, bridging France’s first global triumph in 1998 with the current managerial transition. Following the embrace, Jacquet took his seat in the presidential tribune directly behind FFF President Philippe Diallo.
While public appearances from Jacquet have grown exceptionally rare, his presence at the venue served to honor the beginning of Zidane’s tenure at the helm of the national team. The unannounced arrival caught both supporters and media members off guard, generating a wave of nostalgia inside the stadium prior to kickoff against the Belgian side.
Class of 1998 Stars Gather for the Match
Jacquet’s arrival drew several notable figures from past French squads to the presidential tribune. Jean-Michel Aulas joined federation officials in welcoming the former manager. A contingent of players who competed under Jacquet during the 1990s traveled to Saint-Denis to support the national team.
Laurent Blanc, Robert Pires, Vincent Candela, Sabri Lamouchi, and Christian Karembeu were all spotted greeting their former coach in the stands. Their presence showed the deep ties connecting the historic generation that secured France's first World Cup trophy nearly three decades prior.
