France manager Zinedine Zidane has delivered a stirring speech to the national team's Under-21 squad, which includes two Newcastle United players.
The extended international break has been underway for almost two weeks, with Newcastle United still waiting to return to Premier League action. During the break, the Under-21 teams have also been in action, with France playing Euro U21 qualifying fixtures.
Newcastle duo in France U21 squad
Newcastle's Aladji Bamba and Ewen Jaouen were both called up to France's Under-21 squad for qualifying matches against Iceland and Estonia, which have already taken place. The French Under-21s still have fixtures against Luxembourg and Switzerland in the coming week before the international break concludes.
Zidane was appointed as the new manager of the France senior squad earlier in the summer following the World Cup, replacing Didier Deschamps.
Zidane's message to the squad
In a video posted on the France national team's official X account, the Real Madrid legend was seen speaking to the Under-21 squad and delivering a rousing speech.
"What I just want to tell you is to enjoy what you're doing, especially with the French national team, because as you know, the castle isn't far away, and in fact, it's your next step," Zidane said.
"You have to work to get as close to the castle as possible. You have to enjoy the French U21 team; it's a big deal, you're not far off, and I'll be following you anyway.
"It's also new for me to coach the French national team. The French national team is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and being here feels like a culmination. But at the same time, I went out and earned it, and for you, as players, it's the same. The goal is the castle."
Return to Premier League action
Newcastle will be monitoring all their players on international duty, including Bamba and Jaouen, with the Premier League set to resume next week. Matthias Jaissle's side are scheduled to face Coventry City on Monday, October 12 at the CBS Arena in their first match after the extended international break.
