An emotional scene at the Stade de France between Zidane and Jacquet
The home victory of the Blues in the Nations League on Monday gives Zinédine Zidane an emotional moment, highlighted by the presence of Aimé Jacquet, former 1998 world champion, in the crowd at the Stade de France and marks a scene steeped in nostalgia for the supporters.
A new era at the helm of the Blues
After Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps, another 1998 world champion has therefore taken the role of manager of the French team. Now in charge, Zinédine Zidane was playing a second home Nations League match on Monday.
An emotional encounter at the heart of the stadium
And to witness the victory of his Blues, Zizou was granted a few select guests in the crowd, including a certain Aimé Jacquet. The sequence was filmed by TF1 cameras in the corridor leading from the dressing rooms to the pitch of the Stade de France.
On one side, the native of Sail‑sous‑Couzan, and approaching him, a visibly moved Zinédine Zidane, beaming with a smile that reached his ears. The two men then embraced, exchanged a kiss on the cheek, and Aimé Jacquet whispered a few words to his former number 10, double scorer in the 1998 final against Brazil (3‑0). It was impossible to hear, however, what the 84‑year‑old man whispered into the ear of the new manager, but it clearly delighted Zinédine Zidane.
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In the wake of that, he also received congratulations from Laurent Blanc, again with a friendly hug and exchanged smiles. The Blues, as a collective, shared a moment of camaraderie that enhanced the atmosphere of the stadium.
Other 1998 world champions were also present in that corridor, as Robert Pirès, Christian Karembeu, and Vincent Candela took the opportunity to also congratulate their former teammate from the Blues.
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Facing the few authorized photographers, Zinédine Zidane and Aimé Jacquet paused to capture the moment. Aimé Jacquet then slipped away discreetly into the depths of the Stade de France, while Zizou headed towards the questions of another friend and fellow French world champion, TF1 consultant Bixente Lizarazu.