Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane reportedly sees just one European club as being on the same level as Los Blancos – and it’s not Barcelona.
Zidane, 53, has, without doubt, already etched his name into the history books of Real Madrid.
As a player, he lit up the Santiago Bernabeu with elegant midfield play, helping the side win six trophies - one Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, and two Spanish Super Cups – between 2001 and 2006.
On the international stage, he featured in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side, scoring twice against Brazil in the final, as well as playing in the Euro 2000-winning team, which triumphed over Italy.
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After retiring from playing in 2006, Zidane embarked on a career in coaching, firstly taking charge of Real Madrid’s youth setup before making the step up to manage the senior team in 2016 until 2018.
‘Zizou’ then returned in 2019 before leaving once more in 2021; since then, he has been without a managerial role.
And despite having managed at a senior level for a combined four years, the Frenchman still managed to guide Los Blancos to 11 trophies - two La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, and two FIFA Club World Cups – over his two reigns as Real boss.
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It has been widely reported that he is earmarked for the France job, with current manager Didier Deschamps set to take a step down following the 2026 World Cup.
But which club does Zidane put on the same level as his beloved Madrid?
Given Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United’s success over the past century, you’d be forgiven for thinking Zidane named one of the aforementioned teams, but, according to a ‘close friend’, it is another club that the 53-year-old puts on the same level as Madrid.
Speaking to Source 1, relayed by Foot Mundo, in 2024, a close friend of Zidane explained how he would “go back to Juventus” having played for the Turin club between 1996 and 2001, as well as possibly considering “the French national team or Bayern Munich” as future destinations.
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“He sees Bayern like Real Madrid: an institution, a club with a great past and excellent working conditions,” the source reportedly said.
“The two clubs have many similarities in the way they work. In this sense, he has never rejected this idea.
“Zizou works like a German. He is goal-oriented, structured and very detail-oriented.
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“In this sense, he would undoubtedly fit well. But if the Munich leaders want to bring him in, they must give him sporting power and respond to his wishes.”
It must be noted that it is highly unlikely that Zidane will coach Bayern in the near future, given the fact current head coach, Vincent Kompany, helped the Bavarian side win the Bundesliga in 2024/25 with the six-time European champions currently six points clear at the top of the German league after seven matches so far this term.
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Football
Luke Davies