Zidane reveals Mbappe thoughts and Real Madrid stars who 'lift him off his seat'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 27 Jun 2023 20:22 BST
• 3 min read

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has revealed which players he is particularly fond of watching.

The ex-Los Blancos boss has been out of a job since his second coaching spell at the Santiago Bernabeu came to an end in 2021. During his two stints, the legendary midfielder led Real Madrid to three Champions League successes and two LaLiga titles.

Speaking to Telefoot, the 51-year-old has revealed that he loves to watch Al-Ittihad-bound Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, who has just signed a one-year extension at the Bernabeu.

"If there is a player," Zidane said, "who lifts me out of my chair, that is Karim Benzema. Maybe also Luka Modric, players who, when they have the ball, you think they are going to lose it, but no, they always manage to get away with it."

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Missing the football business

The Frenchman also admitted that being away from football for so long does leave its mark. "Do I miss the adrenaline of training at the highest level? Yes of course. When you're away, you see it differently. I haven't had it for two years, but it will come."

What will his next job in football be? He refused to commit to anything when asked about potentially taking charge of Paris Saint-German or the French national team.

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"You can't deny anything," Zidane said. "I know what I want and what I don't want. If I have decided to take a break, it is because I should have. I hope I can tell myself that soon I will be able to return to training."

Zidane also spoke about potentially Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe: "I hope he wins the Ballon d’Or one day and I hope he wins quite a few titles. What he does is fantastic for the France national team and for PSG, his club. I’m a fan of Mbappe."