Zidane's first training session with the French national team

Zinedine Zidane led his first training session with the French national football team on Monday as they prepare to kick off their campaign in the new edition of the UEFA Nations League.

Under the watchful eyes of around 50 journalists, Zidane, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, conducted a light training session at the National Football Center in Clairefontaine, with about 12 players from his squad present.

Due to several stars of the French team being occupied with their clubs across Europe during the weekend, the full squad of 23 players called up by Zidane was not completed.

Among those who participated in the session were Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Koundé, and Dayot Upamecano, while team captain Kylian Mbappé, who played on Sunday in the Madrid derby against Real Madrid, which ended in a loss for his team against Atlético, was absent from the training.

Zidane was accompanied by his assistant David Bettoni, who worked with him during his time at Real Madrid, as well as his former teammate from the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship-winning teams, Fabien Barthez, who is currently the goalkeeping coach for the French national team.

The training session concluded with a short match, followed by shooting drills, where Zidane himself delivered the crosses.

The French national team is preparing to play four matches in the UEFA Nations League in the upcoming phase, marking the start of Zidane's new era. The "Les Bleus" will face two away matches against Turkey and Belgium on September 25 and 28, before hosting Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October.