Zidane plans to shift Mbappe to the left for France
In a quiet meeting before announcing his first squad, Zinedine Zidane told Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe that he will be used on the left rather than as the traditional No 9 for the French national team. The conversation, reported by Diario AS, marks the first tactical decision of Zidane’s tenure after succeeding Didier Deschamps.
New role for the captain
Zidane made his intentions clear, saying, “Mbappe will be my captain. He can play in all three attacking positions. Personally, I like him more on the left.” The French star has already featured 32 times on the left for France, scoring 21 goals and providing 16 assists from that position.
His last competitive start on the left came in the Euro 2024 semi‑final against Spain, after which he has been deployed more centrally both for the national side and at Real Madrid.
Zidane makes debut against Turkey in Nations League appearance
Implications for club and country
Since joining Real Madrid in 2024, Mbappe has operated predominantly as the No 9, sharing the front line with Vinicius Junior, who naturally occupies the left side for Los Blancos. Zidane’s plan could free Mbappe to receive the ball earlier and exploit space, while Ousmane Dembele may move into the central striker role.
The shift also raises questions for José Mourinho, whose Real Madrid side would need to adjust if Mbappe were to be used on the left, potentially benching Vinicius Junior. However, Zidane’s decision is aimed at the French side for the upcoming international break, with the first test against Turkey on Friday.