The date is known. Didier Deschamps and Zinédine Zidane will meet again in a few days. Twenty-seven years after their world triumph in 1998, the two legends of French football will once again set foot on the same pitch. A meeting which, officially, has nothing political. But symbolically, it resonates as a prelude to what everyone is waiting for: the succession at the head of the France team. Because between these two men, only one bench. And it has been occupied by Deschamps since 2012. Until when?
A symbolic passing of the baton
This Thursday, October 30, Zidane and Deschamps will meet at the Pierre-de-Coubertin stadium in Cannes for a charity gala match. Organized as part of the “Cannes Legends” initiative, the event will bring together part of the 1998 world champion French team. Patrick Vieira, Robert Pirès and other figures from this golden generation will also be present. A match for a good cause, under the nostalgic gaze of an emotional audience. But beyond the pleasure of the game, this reunion takes on a special dimension. Because Zidane has never hidden his ambition to lead the Blues.
We can see this as a simple coincidence of the calendar. But it’s hard not to read it as a form of symbolic handover. On one side, Deschamps, firmly installed on the Blues bench, focused on the 2026 World Cup. On the other, Zidane, free since his departure from Real Madrid, who is biding his time. “One of my goals is to coach the French team. We’ll see,”
the Frenchman recently declared in Italy. A sentence that leaves no doubt about his intentions. This October 30 in Cannes, the two men will find themselves in the spotlight. Perhaps for the last time before a new page in the history of the Blues is written.
Deschamps knows Zidane is waiting
Deschamps is not fooled. He knows that Zidane is in the starting blocks. The French Football Federation has even already planned everything. The name of the successor is known, as are the outlines of the transition. But Deschamps wants to end his mandate with dignity, with a last World Cup in 2026. Afterwards, he will leave. And Zidane will take charge. It's written. Everyone knows it. Even if no one says it officially. This gala match in Cannes is just a pretext. But it crystallizes what is happening behind the scenes: the passing of the baton between two generations, two styles, two men who have marked the history of the Blues.
The Cannes public will attend a unique evening. Emotion, nostalgia, pleasure of the game. But behind the smiles and hugs, a question will float in the air: when will Zidane officially take over? Deschamps still has time ahead of him. But this October 30, symbolically, the countdown begins. Two legends, one bench. And a succession that is already being written.
Did you know?
- Deschamps holds the French record with 56 captaincies: For comparison, Michel Platini has only 48. Deschamps led the French team as captain for almost 12 consecutive years (1989-2000), a unique feat in the history of the Blues.
- Zidane scored his iconic 2002 volley with his weak foot: Legend has it that Roberto Carlos didn't even know Zidane was in the area; he found out after hitting the center. A goal considered one of the most beautiful in the history of the Champions League.
- Deschamps is the only Frenchman to have won the World Cup both as captain and coach: Captain in 1998 and coach in 2018, he shares this unique distinction with very few coaches in the history of world football. Zidane, although 1998 world champion as a player, has never won the World Cup as a coach.
- Didier Deschamps has won 4 of France's 8 major trophies: As a combined player and coach, he has conquered the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000, the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League – a unique record of versatility.
- At Juventus, Deschamps and Zidane won a championship together: In the 1996-97 season, the two men wore the same bianconeri colors and won the Scudetto, before dominating the 1998 World Cup together at home.
