Everything seemed written in advance, almost too good to be true. Didier Deschamps would give up his apron after the 2026 World Cup, and Zinédine Zidane, the natural heir, would finally settle on the throne of the Blues for Euro 2028. Philippe Diallo, the boss of the Federation, repeatedly repeats that he “plenty of time” and that the transition will take place “quietly” in the spring of 2026. Except that this ideal scenario, which relies on the infinite patience of “Zizou”, ignores a major variable: Real Madrid does not respect the schedule of others, especially when its own house burns down.
Zidane’s shadow hangs over the BernabĂ©u
Because in Madrid, the time is no longer for serenity. Xabi Alonso, despite having a correct accounting record, sees his credit crumble from week to week. The game is criticized, and executives like Vinicius or Bellingham would show signs of annoyance with his management. In this climate of tension, the Spanish press,El Chiringuito has A.S.has restarted the fantasy machine: the return of Zidane is on everyone’s lips. The recent accomplice photo between the Frenchman and Florentino PĂ©rez during an NFL event at the BernabĂ©u has finally ignited the powder. For the socios, Zidane is not an ex, he is the absolute recourse, the only one capable of putting out the fire if the Alonso project goes off the rails.
If Zidane’s entourage continues to point to the Blues as the top priority, the threat of a luxury interim or a third mandate at Real is real. “Zizou’s” profile ticks all the boxes for a management in crisis: he knows the locker room by heart, manages egos like no one else and has an untouchable aura. Accepting a six-month commando mission at Real would not be without risk for his image, but is refusing the call for help from his favorite club even possible if the FFF continues to leave him in the waiting room without written guarantee?
The brakes that can derail everything
This is where the watch strategy played by the FFF becomes perilous. Officially, we are waiting so as not to disturb Deschamps. Unofficially, Gordian knots remain to be resolved, notably the thorny conflict of interests between Nike, sponsor of the Blues, and Adidas, of which Zidane is the world icon. As long as nothing is signed, the 1998 Ballon d’Or is a free agent. He has already experienced the disillusionment of 2022 after the surprise extension of Deschamps. To think that he will agree to remain quietly on the sidelines if Madrid offers him the keys to the truck this winter is culpable naivety.
The FFF is walking on a tightrope. By wanting to respect the forms and timing of Deschamps, she takes the risk of being overtaken in the final straight. If Real Madrid decides to activate the Zidane plan, the “Blues priority” could waver in the face of Marseillais’ visceral attachment to the White House. Philippe Diallo is warned: in love as in football, making the one you love wait too long is often the best way to see him leave on the arm of another.
