Zidane's Trust in Real Madrid Stars for France's UEFA Nations League Matches
Zinedine Zidane has turned to a familiar core for France’s next assignment in the UEFA Nations League, placing his trust in four Real Madrid pillars for a crucial November window.
The France manager has named Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ibrahima Konate in his latest squad as Les Bleus prepare for a demanding double-header: away to Italy on 12 November, then back home to face Turkiye in Venissieux on 15 November.
Mbappe leads the charge
Mbappe arrives in camp as captain, talisman, and the most in-form forward in Europe. At 27, he is deep into his prime and playing like it. Sixteen goals and three assists in 15 appearances across all competitions tell only part of the story; he has become the reference point for Zidane’s France, the man everything funnels through in the final third.
He also carries a recent scar from international duty. During the last break, Mbappe scored the first goal of the Zidane era for France, only to return to Madrid with an injury. Real Madrid will watch this window with clenched teeth, knowing how quickly one night with the national team can reshape a club season.
Tchouameni back in the fold
Tchouameni’s recall underlines how carefully Zidane is managing his midfield engine room. The 26-year-old was omitted from the previous squad as he had only just shaken off an injury, with Zidane refusing to overload him so soon after his return.
That caution has paid off. Tchouameni has now banked enough minutes at club level to convince the France staff he is ready again for the intensity of international football. His presence restores balance and control in the middle of the pitch, an area Zidane knows better than most can decide tight Nations League nights.
Camavinga’s rise continues
Camavinga keeps his place and with it another chance to tighten his grip on a long-term role in this France setup. His performances during the last international break left a strong impression, blending energy, bite, and composure that fit perfectly with Zidane’s vision of a flexible, dynamic midfield.
He is no longer just the promising youngster off the bench. Each call-up, each solid appearance, nudges him closer to becoming a fixture in the squad, a player Zidane can lean on when the tempo spikes and the game starts to fray.
Konate entrenched at the back
At the other end of the pitch, Konate’s inclusion reflects how quickly he has climbed the hierarchy since his summer arrival at Real Madrid. He has established himself as a mainstay in their defence, and that status now echoes at international level.
Like Mbappe, Konate also returned from the last break nursing an injury, another reason Madrid’s medical staff will track every training session and minute he plays for France. For Zidane, though, his presence is non-negotiable: power in the air, aggression in duels, and a growing authority that anchors the back line.
France head into Italy and Turkiye with a spine built around Madrid steel and star power. For Zidane, it is a statement of trust. For Real Madrid, it is a nervous wait.
