Zinédine Zidane’s Mbappé choice called “senseless”

Zinédine Zidane’s decision to move Kylian Mbappé back to the left wing has come under immediate scrutiny at the start of his France tenure. The Real Madrid forward had established himself as the central striker for both club and country, making the change one of the new coach’s most debated choices.

France opened Zidane’s reign with a 1-0 Nations League victory away to Turkey on Friday. Mbappé scored the only goal before leaving the match with an injury. The result gave the new coach a winning start, but his use of the forward remained the main talking point after the final whistle.

Journalist Sébastien Tarrago described the decision as senseless, arguing that Mbappé had become one of the world’s leading attackers and had carried France at the World Cup. He also noted that the player had finally been settled as a central forward at Real Madrid and with the national team. Tarrago said Mbappé had not appeared enthusiastic about returning to the flank and questioned the need to reopen tactical debates that had previously been resolved.

Zidane has also introduced stricter rules around the national-team camp. Clairefontaine is being kept more private, with greater distance from the media, while players’ hairdressers are no longer allowed to visit during international windows. Players must now use a salon before joining the squad.