Zinedine Zidane is having a lot of fun with Real Madrid. During two stints on the Merengue bench, the long-serving player received just 11 trophies in just a few months, plus four of them as a coach. A success which owes a lot to its ability to win the support of all its players. This is evidenced by the anecdote given by Frédéric Hermel, former correspondent for L’Equipe in Madrid and biographer of the former Bordeaux player.

“Zidane, he has authority over clothing. I have memories of a discussion I had during my day with Zizou. Where he had to leave (Mateo) Kovacic in the stands. The result is actually sick. Because he told me that this guy doesn’t deserve what I’m forced to do to him. They said: ‘I told you I was talking to you, that I told you that I had a group that was ready and that I could hear it from the children’. he told Génération After on RMC.

Zinedine Zidane was unanimous

“Seeing how he practices all week and not being able to put it on, it hurt him. And why did the guy accept? Because Zizou was going to talk to him and explain to him and that at one time or another, the compensation, he added. Even the players sidelined by Zinedine Zidane did not hold it against him, like Achraf Hakimi, who was forced to leave Real Madrid, his club coach, to find playing time.

“I have immense respect and affection for him. I have good confidence, allowed to play in an incredible team with whom I won the C1. I learned a lot from him,” Explains that three years ago about the former Ballon d’Or.