Former Ballon d’Or winner Zinedine Zidane has officially been appointed as the head coach of the French men’s national football team, signing a contract that runs through 2030. The 54-year-old French icon takes charge of the two-time FIFA World Cup champions, bringing an illustrious pedigree from both his playing days and his highly decorated managerial career at Real Madrid.
A Storied Playing Career Defined by Trophies
As a player, Zinedine Zidane established himself as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of football. Representing the French national team from 1994 to 2006, he earned 108 caps and scored 31 goals. His most defining international moments came during the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil, where he scored two headers in the final against Brazil to guide France to its first-ever World Cup title.
Two years later, Zidane orchestrated France’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2000, cementing Les Bleus’ status as both world and European champions. His international career concluded with a memorable, albeit tumultuous, run to the 2006 World Cup final in Germany, where he won the tournament’s Golden Ball as the best player despite a red card in the final match against Italy.
At club level, the Marseille-born playmaker starred for Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid. With Juventus, he captured two Serie A titles and reached back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals. In 2001, he transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world-record fee, going on to score one of the most iconic goals in football history—a legendary left-footed volley—to win the 2002 Champions League final at Hampden Park.
Unprecedented Success in the Real Madrid Technical Area
Zidane transitioned seamlessly from the pitch to the sideline, taking charge of Real Madrid across two separate managerial stints. During his first tenure from January 2016 to May 2018, he achieved a feat never before accomplished in the modern era: winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
After stepping down in 2018, Zidane returned to the Santiago Bernabéu in March 2019 to stabilize a struggling squad. His second spell yielded another La Liga title during the 2019-20 season alongside a Spanish Super Cup victory. Across his coaching career with Los Blancos, Zidane managed 263 matches, registering 174 victories, 56 draws, and just 33 defeats while collecting 11 major trophies.
The Road to 2030 With Les Bleus
Taking the reins of the French national team fulfills a long-standing ambition for Zidane, who had frequently been linked with the post following his departure from Real Madrid in 2021. With a contract extending through 2030, the French Football Federation has entrusted the legendary midfielder with a long-term project spanning multiple major international cycles, including the upcoming FIFA World Cups and European Championships.
Zidane inherits a deep talent pool anchored by elite European stars, positioning France among the favorites for upcoming international competitions. His immediate focus shifts to assembling a technical staff and preparing the squad for upcoming qualification fixtures, marking a new chapter for French football under one of its most revered figures.
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