Zinédine Zidane has reason to rejoice. During the Clasico won by Real Madrid on the pitch of FC Barcelona (1-2), in La Liga, the four French people sent a strong signal. Aurélien Tchouaméni dominated the midfield, Ibrahima Konaté responded in a very high-level meeting, Eduardo Camavinga turned the game on its head after his entry and Kylian Mbappé once again donned his role as a decisive player with his double. A few weeks before the next international events, these performances give arguments to the four men, all French internationals, even if their situations and their current dynamics differ. And in a match where Real had to resist the return of the Catalans, the French representatives weighed on the result in several ways.
The first to make an impression was Ibrahima Konaté. Arriving this summer from Liverpool, the central defender approached this season with a certain pressure after a very disappointing 2025-2026 financial year, prolonged by a World Cup where he had not found his best level. His arrival at Real Madrid had raised questions, with some doubting his ability to establish himself in an environment where every mistake comes at a high price. But the Frenchman seems to be gradually reversing the trend. Against Barça, he delivered a particularly solid performance, winning numerous duels against Raphinha and limiting the Brazilian’s influence. He was also clean in his first attempts, without getting rid of the ball under pressure. In such an exposed encounter, Konaté displayed a mixture of power, aggressiveness and above all serenity. After months of doubts, Konaté showed that he can still fit into the plans of the France team.
Aurélien Tchouaméni impressed in the midfield
For his part, Aurélien Tchouaméni also delivered a demonstration which should not go unnoticed. Disappointing during the World Cup, particularly against Spain, then hampered by an injury at the start of the season, the midfielder had not yet regained his full influence. His absence from the last meeting of the Blues was explained by his recent return to competition, but his performance at Camp Nou could reshuffle certain cards. Lined up in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva, the Frenchman imposed his physical impact and his reading of the game for a large part of the match. His interventions disrupted the Barcelona circuits, while his aggressiveness in the duels considerably hampered the opposing midfielders. He also shone in the use of the ball, with a precise long game and restarts capable of breaking the first lines of pressure. Indeed, with six tackles and eleven recoveries, Tchouaméni was also valuable in the air and did not hesitate to make contact. A truly complete match from him, rated 7/10 by the editorial staff of French Football Weekly.
Kylian Mbappé did not need an additional Clasico to remind us of his importance to Real Madrid, but he was still present at the decisive moment. The French striker opened the scoring in the 41st minute in fortunate circumstances, after Gerard Martín’s clearance came back at him before finishing in the Barcelona net. Barça then regained the score through Raphinha after the break, and Real had to wait until the end of the match to regain the advantage. Mbappé finally scored a double, with a decisive achievement in the 87th minute after a remarkable entry from Camavinga, and now brings his tally to fourteen goals in thirteen matches in all competitions. It is also his eighth goal in seven Clasicos. But beyond his two achievements, the Frenchman respected his role as number nine without constantly encroaching on the left lane occupied by Yan Diomandé. He made multiple calls, participated in the game and helped with defensive work, while supporting Jude Bellingham. Even Daniel Riolo, often critical of him, praised his influence on RMC : “Mbappé is the decisive man this evening. It’s not brand new, but he’s becoming the scorer and that’s it. Doing that is his football. » A few hours before the Ballon d’Or ceremony, the Frenchman delivered the best possible response on the pitch.
Eduardo Camavinga finally back
But the sequence that most electrified Madrid supporters perhaps came from Eduardo Camavinga. Not retained by Didier Deschamps this summer after a very complicated previous season, marked among other things by his expulsion against Bayern Munich, the French midfielder seems to be regaining momentum since his return to form and his performances with the Blues under Zidane. His start to the season at Real was already promising, but his entry in the 80th minute against Barcelona gave a new dimension to this dynamic. While the match remained undecided, Camavinga brought energy, percussion and an ability to attack spaces that his team had previously lacked. On the action of Mbappé’s victorious goal, he accelerated, eliminated his opponent and served his compatriot in the best conditions.
José Mourinho also explained the role he asked him to play: “I told Camavinga that Tchouaméni would stay low to protect the defense, and that he would exploit the spaces. It’s difficult for any striker to exploit spaces against Barcelona; the only solution is to do it with the midfielders. When the attackers attempt this, Barca’s defense is prepared and trained, and they find themselves offside, or the pass is intercepted by Joan Garcia. The solution is to use midfielders like Camavinga and Bellingham to break that line, and it worked. » An analysis which highlights the complementarity sought between the Frenchman and Bellingham, but also the importance of Camavinga taking the initiative. The only French international from Real Madrid not to have participated in this meeting is Ferland Mendy, still injured in his thigh. So, at the Camp Nou, the French from Casa Blanca responded. And for Zinédine Zidane, this evening was enough to attract attention.
