Zinedine Zidane gives Aimé Jacquet a moving moment
After France's 4-1 victory over Belgium in the Nations League, Zinédine Zidane warmly embraced his former coach Aimé Jacquet as well as several former teammates, including Laurent Blanc, Vincent Candela, Robert Pirès and Christian Karembeu, at the Stade de France on Monday evening.
Reunions in the stadium corridor
In the corridors of the Stade de France, before joining the TF1 studio set at the side of the pitch, Zidane met up with old acquaintances and greeted them enthusiastically. He notably exchanged handshakes with the president of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, while the rare visitor Aimé Jacquet, 84, attended the match in Saint‑Denis. The presence of these figures evoked the atmosphere of 1998, the year the two men shared the world title.
The two men warmly embraced under the eyes of several former internationals, including Laurent Blanc, Vincent Candela, Robert Pirès, Christian Karembeu and Bernard Diomède. Zidane took the time to greet each of them, highlighting the continuity between generations of the national team. This scene was captured in footage that quickly spread across the media.
Zidane pays tribute to Jacquet at the press conference
During the post‑match press conference, Zidane said: “Mémé was someone who loved his players, and that’s what he conveyed: a lot of confidence, freedom and kindness.” He added that he was “glad to see him, that he is there to come watch the French team, because I know he doesn’t go out much.” These words underscored the respect the 1998 world champion has for his mentor.
An emotional scene at the Stade de France between Zidane and Jacquet
The gesture was seen as a reminder of the strong bond that links the 1998 France squad to the current generation. Zidane recalled that “Mémé” was “handsome and…”, emphasizing the shared emotion. This statement reinforced the image of a team united around its historic values.
The match, which took place at the Stade de France, saw the French side dominate Belgium 4‑1, recalling the 1998 victory over the same nation. The atmosphere in the stadium was tinged with palpable nostalgia, with supporters recalling past glories. The result allowed France to consolidate its position in the Nations League.
The footage of the reunion, published on 5 October 2026, shows Zidane and Jacquet embracing, surrounded by their former teammates. The broadcast was provided by TF1, which set up its studio at the side of the pitch to cover the moment. The report highlighted the rarity of such meetings in stadiums in recent years.
Zidane expresses satisfaction with his first weeks as France's coach
“We would have liked it to last for hours,” concluded an observer, testifying to the emotional impact of this brief yet memorable moment. The gesture will remain etched in memory as a living tribute to the generation that made France dream.