Eduardo Camavinga is receiving support from Zinedine Zidane at the French national team to help him move past a period of inconsistency and limited playing time at Real Madrid. Despite playing only 38% of available minutes for the Spanish club—240 out of 630 possible minutes—Camavinga has secured a role under Zidane, who now leads Les Bleus and views the midfielder’s profile as a key asset for the national side.
Zidane’s influence on Camavinga’s national team return
In Zidane’s debut as national team manager, he utilized Camavinga for 12 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Turkey, replacing Cherki to solidify the team’s defensive and distributive stability. This selection serves as a significant endorsement of the player’s abilities during a time of professional instability.
While French media outlet L’Équipe reports that the midfielder must justify the confidence placed in him, Zidane’s support provides a critical psychological buffer. The relationship is notable because Zidane and Camavinga had little personal interaction previously; the midfielder joined Real Madrid three months after Zidane’s departure from the club. However, Zidane was aware of the internal scouting reports from Juni Calafat that led Real Madrid to target the player.
Real Madrid struggles and the role of Jose Mourinho
Camavinga’s pre-season form at Real Madrid raised concerns within the club, with reports describing him as confused and disconnected during basic technical actions such as ball control and security passes. Jose Mourinho, who arrived on July 13, has worked to stabilize the player, viewing him as a useful tool for his tactical mission. Mourinho has attempted to reintegrate the midfielder into the rotation, including a notable start in a 4-0 win over Málaga while awaiting the return of Aurélien Tchouameni.
The coordination between Mourinho’s efforts at Valdebebas and Zidane’s support with the national team acts as a complementary therapy for the player.
Camavinga’s self-criticism on consistency and focus
During a press conference at Clairefontaine, Camavinga addressed his struggle to secure a permanent starting position for both club and country. He identified a lack of regularity as the primary obstacle, stating that he must concentrate more on the pitch and avoid errors to achieve that consistency.
He has spent time with Adrien Truffert, as well as teammates Doué, Jacquet, Lepaul, and Da Cunha. This emotional support is augmented by the presence of David Bettoni, Zidane’s assistant, who also has a history with Real Madrid.
Upcoming fixtures and roster implications
The French national team is expected to give Camavinga further minutes in the upcoming match against Belgium. His performance in these international windows is seen as a catalyst that could improve his standing when he returns to Jose Mourinho’s squad at Real Madrid.
Alongside emerging talents like Thiago Pitarch, who is currently developing with the Castilla side, Camavinga is positioned as a player with significant influence over the course of the current season.
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