Real Madrid criticise FFF president over 'lack of respect' for Zidane
Zidane has been without a team since the conclusion of his second tenure as Real Madrid's manager in 2021
Real Madrid have criticised French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet over disrespecting former Real Madrid player and coach Zinedine Zidane while demanding "immediate rectification."
The French federation re-appointed Didier Deschamps as their head coach until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Deschamps' appointment dismissed Zidane, who had his eyes locked on his national football team's manager role, being the potential candidate for the position.
On being asked whether Zidane had called him in recent days, Le Graet dismissed the former Real Madrid coach as having been a potential candidate.
"I wouldn't even have taken his call," Le Graet said. "To tell him what? 'Hello sir, don't worry, look for another club, I just agreed a contract with Didier'."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have slammed Le Graet for showing disrespect towards Zidane, who is considered one of football's all-time greats.
"Real Madrid CF regrets the unfortunate statements made by the president of the French Football Federation, Nöel Le Graët, about Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest legends of world sport," the Los Blancos said in a statement.
"These words imply a lack of respect towards one of the figures most admired by football fans around the world and our club expects an immediate rectification. Zinedine Zidane, world champion and European champion defending his country's jersey, among many other titles, represents the values of sport and has demonstrated this throughout his professional career as a player and as a coach."
The La Liga side also pointed out Le Graet's statements about their striker and skipper Karim Benzema.
"The statements by the president of the French Football Federation are inappropriate for someone who holds that representation and disqualify themselves, like the ones he also makes about our captain Karim Benzema, current Ballon d'Or, champion of the League of Nations with France in 2021 and winner of 5 Champions League, among many other titles."
Earlier, France forward Kylian Mbappe also showed support for his countryman.
"Zidane is France, we don't disrespect the legend like that...," the Paris Saint-Germain forward wrote on Twitter.
French media outlet L'Equipe reported that Zidane has turned down offers from three national teams after the FIFA World Cup 2022.
According to L'Equipe, the mastermind was approached by Brazil, Portugal, and USA after the FIFA World Cup. However, the former midfielder has rejected all the offers.
It is worth mentioning here that since the conclusion of his second tenure as Real Madrid's manager in 2021, Zidane has been without a team.
Zidane was first named as head coach of Real Madrid after Rafael Benitez was fired as the first-team coach in January 2016. He won nine trophies during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles.
After the three-peat in 2018, he departed the club before coming back in March 2019 to save a Madrid team that was in trouble. Even though he won La Liga in his second season, he was unable to replicate his success on a continental scale. As a result, after the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign, he left again.
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