Zidane, the indirect masterstroke that benefits Real Madrid

While Zinedine Zidane is today the manager of the France national team, his glorious past at Real Madrid is reflected in the debuts of several young Frenchmen during the first international break of the Zidane era. The 23‑year‑old Frenchman, Eduardo Camavinga, shone against Belgium, recalling the successes of the Spanish club where he was a starter in 2023‑2024, a season that saw Real win the Champions League and La Liga.

A legacy of titles and young talents

Zidane, nicknamed Zizou, won the Champions League as a player and then three times as a coach, inscribing his name in Real's vast history. During the same break, Estéban Lepaul, Guillaumes Restes, Andy Diouf, Lucas Da Cunha, Jérémy Jacquet and Leny Yoro made their national team debuts, demonstrating the renewal of the French talent pool.

Camavinga, the great returnee under Zidane's eye

The Real midfielder, emerging from two difficult seasons, missed the 2026 World Cup, not selected by Didier Deschamps, but regained form with the French team, where he started in both matches against Belgium. According to Cadena SER, the Merengue club would be satisfied with the role given to Camavinga by Zidane, even though José Mourinho granted him only 240 minutes, barely three matches, including two starts.

This situation suggests the possibility that the Portuguese manager will further exploit the player's qualities, while Real Madrid continues to build on the foundations laid by Zidane, both as a champion and as a mentor of new generations.