Zinédine Zidane hailed as 'God-level' by Thierry Henry

Zinédine Zidane’s stature around France’s national team has risen further after Thierry Henry described his former teammate as operating at a divine level in football. The assessment underlines the reverence surrounding Zidane as he begins his tenure as Les Bleus coach, with former international colleagues presenting him as an exceptional figure.

Henry said Zidane’s arrival had made a strong impression on the current squad, with players visibly struck by the presence of the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner. He also welcomed seeing Fabien Barthez appear alongside Zidane at Clairefontaine, recalling his own time playing with the goalkeeper at Monaco. Their reunion added to the sense of a celebrated generation returning to the national-team setting.

Zidane’s first results have strengthened that image. France have won both of their Nations League matches since his appointment, giving him a perfect start. The performances have not yet represented a major change from the football seen under Didier Deschamps, but the early stage of his tenure leaves time for that assessment to develop.

Henry’s admiration also reflects their shared international history. Zidane supplied him with two assists for France, despite a long-standing belief that there had been only one: the first came against Denmark at Euro 2000, followed by another against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final.