Real Madrid have released a statement lamenting the remarks made by French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet about Zinedine Zidane. Noel Le Graet said he did not care where Zinedine Zidane goes next. He has been linked with a number of clubs, including Brazil’s national football team.
Brazil national football team have parted ways with Tite after their quarter-final exit at FIFA World Cup 2022. The South American heavyweights are in search of a new manager and have been linked with a move for Zinedine Zidane, who is a free agent.
Zinedine Zidane had also long been tipped to replace Didier Deschamps as the France national football team manager after FIFA World Cup 2022. However, France have extended Didier Deschamps’ contract with the national team.
The French Football Federation announced last week that it has extended Didier Deschamps’ contract with the national team until June 2026.
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Real Madrid accuses Noel Le Graet of lack of respect for Zinedine Zidane
Speaking to RMC, Noel Le Graet said he does not care about Zidane’s future and that he would not have picked up the phone had the former Real Madrid manager called him.
Noel Le Graet’s comments received widespread backlash, and among those who criticized the French Football Federation president was France national football team star Kylian Mbappe.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar took to Twitter to criticize Noel Le Graet’s comments on Zinedine Zidane. “Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that...” Kylian Mbappe wrote.
Real Madrid, with whom Zinedine Zidane has won many trophies as a player and a manager, have also issued a statement lamenting the comments made by Noel Le Graet.
The Spanish behemoths accused Le Graet of lack of respect for Zinedine Zidane and said they are awaiting ‘an immediate correction’.
What did Real Madrid say in their statement?
“Real Madrid C. F. laments the unfortunate comments made by the president of the French Football Federation, Nöel Le Graët, regarding Zinedine Zidane, one of the world’s biggest sporting legends,” Real Madrid said in a statement.
“These remarks show a lack of respect for one of the most admired figures by football fans around the world and our club is awaiting an immediate correction. Zinedine Zidane, World and European champion representing his country, amongst many other honours, embodies the values of the sport and has proven this throughout his professional career as a player and as a coach.
“The statements by the president of the French Football Federation are inappropriate for someone holding such representation and are in themselves unsuitable, like those he also made about our captain Karim Benzema, current Ballon d’Or, Nations League champion with France in 2021 and winner of 5 Champions Leagues, amongst many other honours.”
