10 Oct 2026 13:51:13
Zinedine Zidane on his conversation with Leny Yoro during France training:
"Somebody said, 'Zizou, Manchester United supporters think you're convincing him to join Real Madrid.'
I laughed.
Because I wasn't talking to Leny about Madrid. I was talking to him about becoming a better footballer.
There's something about him that reminds me of a young Raphael Varane.
I remember Rapha at Madrid. Sometimes he'd win the ball beautifully, then immediately look for the safest pass.
I'd tell him, 'Rapha, you've already beaten the striker. Why are you giving the ball to somebody who has to beat him again? '
'What do you want me to do, coach? '
'Look forward.'
Because a defender who stops an attack is important. But one who stops an attack and immediately starts another? That's a different footballer.
So I asked Leny, 'When you win the ball, what's the first thing you look for? '
'The safest option.'
'Good. And after that? '
He looked confused.
I told him, 'Sometimes the safest pass gives your opponent enough time to organise himself again. You have the legs to escape pressure, Leny. Now learn to make the ball escape without you.'
We worked on diagonal passes and recognising movement before it happens.
He asked, 'Coach, how do I know when to play that pass? '
I said, 'When you see it before the player asking for it sees it himself.'
Then against Belgium, he plays that beautiful diagonal towards Barcola.
Suddenly everybody's sending me messages.
'Zizou, 2 weeks with Leny and look what you've done!'
I said, 'What have I done? '
I haven't created Leny Yoro in two weeks. Manchester United already have a talented defender. I'm simply helping him understand a few things differently.
I remember when Varane was developing at Madrid. Sergio Ramos was beside him. Cristiano, Benzema, Modric, Kroos. Every training session was an education.
Sometimes Rapha made a mistake and Sergio looked at him as though he'd personally insulted the entire defence.


5 minutes later, Sergio gave him the ball again.
That's how young players grow. You correct them, but you also show them you trust them.
I told Leny, 'You're at Manchester United. Don't forget what that means.'
People look at recent results and forget the history.
But I remember Old Trafford. The atmosphere. The pressure. What Sir Alex Ferguson built there.
You don't need to explain Manchester United to somebody who has played against them.
I said, 'Leny, you're twenty. Don't spend your career trying to become the next Varane. Become the first Leny Yoro.'
'How do I do that? '
'Play. Make mistakes. Learn. Then make fewer mistakes.'
Because everybody wants the finished footballer. Nobody wants to watch the years it takes to make him.
?️ Reporter: 'But Zizou, surely you'd love to see Yoro at Real Madrid someday? '
'Of course Madrid appreciate great footballers. That's why they're Madrid.'
'So you'd encourage him to move? '
'Why? He's already at Manchester United. Do you think that's a small club? '
Before Leny left, I told him, 'When you return to Manchester, don't go back thinking you've learned everything because you spent two weeks with me. Go back and show them something new.'
France will benefit. United will benefit. And most importantly, Leny will benefit.
?️ Reporter: 'One last question. Would you ever manage Manchester United? '
'It's a beautiful club. Everybody knows that.'
'That's not an answer, Zizou.'
'It's the answer you're getting.'
But I'll tell you something.
If I ever walk into that dressing room as Manchester United manager, I'd like to see Leny sitting there.
I'd ask him, 'Remember that afternoon in France when we talked about your passing? '
And I hope he says, 'Yes, coach.'
Then I'll say, 'Good. Now show me what you've learned since.'
Because I wasn't teaching that boy how to get to Real Madrid.
I was teaching him something he could take back to Manchester United.

1.) 10 Oct 2026
10 Oct 2026 19:35:59
Yoro is not good enough for EPL.

2.) 11 Oct 2026
10 Oct 2026 22:30:55
If we are not careful he will be sold and years later we will realise what a mistake that was. He is potentially a really great defender. Just needs a proper coach he is so young.

3.) 11 Oct 2026
10 Oct 2026 23:53:32
I mean that's clearly made up AI nonsense right.

4.) 11 Oct 2026
11 Oct 2026 00:47:26
Seems to be AI.