Zinedine Zidane

Marie-George Buffet, France's former Minister of Sports, admitted that her office suspended surprise doping tests for Zinedine Zidane and his teammates ahead of the 1998 World Cup. This admission contradicts her 2013 testimony before a Senate committee, where she denied that any such instructions were ever issued.

Zinedine Zidane, who took over the French national team, admitted that he had turned down club offers for years for this role. In the football world, managing a national team is often seen as a "pension plan" compared to the daily grind of club management.

After 14 years, Didier Deschamps is stepping down. Zinedine Zidane has signed an eight-year contract until 2034, stating: "I rejected all offers, it was my only dream."

The legendary football star, who led the Tricolores to 1998 World Cup glory as a player, will succeed Didier Deschamps. "This is a dream come true, my happiest day as a coach," Zidane stated following the announcement.

Next Tuesday, Zinedine Zidane will be presented as the new head coach of the French national team. Just before that, the team's staff said goodbye to Didier Deschamps, who ended a 14-year chapter of 185 matches, highlighted by the 2018 World Cup victory and a 2022 final appearance.