“I take care of my children, my grandchildren; today my life is full”

The meeting is scheduled on Zoom at 7 p.m., Tuesday September 24. We are in Paris. Zinédine Zidane is in Madrid. This is where he lives, and he is due to launch there that very evening, in the recently renovated Montblanc boutique on Calle de Serrano, a capsule collection of five pieces for traveling – five, to echo the emblematic flocked number on his jersey when he played for Real Madrid. The football legend, a frequent traveler, has therefore imagined a cabin suitcase, a passport holder, a large duffel bag, a toiletry bag and a shoulder bag, available in black and Pewter, a shade of green. When the webcam activates. Zidane is there, installed in a hotel room during the interview. Smiling and happy to tell about the springs of his exclusive collection with Montblanc.

Madame Figaro .- Montblanc has partnered with you to design an exclusive capsule collection of 5 pieces for traveling. Which traveler are you? Lazy or adventurous?
Zinédine Zidane.- It all depends on the trip I’m taking. In general, not an adventurer: adventure is not my thing. I rather like it to be prepared. It’s true that I’ve traveled a lot – and I continue to do so – and it has to be simple: take a bag, put everything I need in it, and go. This is how the idea for this collection was born and in particular the travel bag, which I wanted with lots of pockets, inside and out.

Where did your inspiration come from for the 5 pieces in this capsule collection?
The desire to target the younger generation. Montblanc is a very old brand, which has strong products and a very specific clientele. With this capsule, we wanted it to open up to as many people as possible. We therefore offer a sling bag, designed to travel lighter.

Did your sons give you the idea?
For the sling bag yes, it clearly comes from them. My youngest, Elyaz, who is 19, wears it every day.

Two years ago, you became the new face of Montblanc Legend perfume. How did this switch to luggage storage come about?
This was not at all planned. But through discussions with Marco Tomasetta, the artistic director of Montblanc, we quickly realized that there was something to be done. We saw each other in Milan, then in Paris, Madrid… We had quite a few meetings, he was patient with me! On arrival, there is a collection coming out that we are proud of… And two years have passed.

When I was young, I had trouble finding my style… It wasn’t great

Zinedine Zidane

After coaching Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane becomes a designer…
No, because it’s already been three years since I was coach of Real Madrid, even if I remain in my head every day. I’ve been a player, I’ve been a coach, and I’ve always been a jack of all trades. But today, I want other things. I also enjoy my life. I take care of my children, my grandchildren too, since I recently became a grandpa. My life is full, and that is the most important thing for me.

What is your favorite destination for a family vacation?
Everywhere. The most important thing is to be together and have fun. For example, my big guy (Enzo Zidane, 29 years old, Editor’s note) got married two years ago. The fact of everyone coming together is what I like. Moreover, family reunions continue, often in Marseille, with mom, dad, brothers and sisters… But it’s more “Marseille discreet”, that is to say at home.

If you had to choose just one piece from your collection for Montblanc to take with you, which one would you choose?
The travel bag. It’s clearly my favorite piece, the one that most resembles me. It is very practical and large enough to take lots of things if you want to leave for 48 hours. But above all, it remains simple.

What are the essentials found in yours?
I always have a pair of sneakers for running. I like to exercise wherever I go. I try to stay in line.

And what would be more surprising there?
At the hotel, I like to bring a small candle. When you don’t know where you’re going to set foot, it allows you to find a sort of anchor.

What trip do you still dream of taking, the territory that you have not yet explored?
There is a country that surprised me and that I really enjoyed visiting with my children: South Africa. I discovered it a few years ago, when they were still very young. We had a safari there. Everything there had an impact on me. Forget waking up at 9 a.m. then breakfast, and so on: you get up at 5 a.m., it’s a different rhythm.

And you were anonymous there?
Yes, animals don’t recognize me!

How does your wife Véronique define your style?
Like everyone, I think my style has progressed over the years. When I was young, I had trouble finding it… It wasn’t great. And today, things are better. My wife, if she could answer, would perhaps say… “simple”. I often dress in jeans and a t-shirt and it suits me very well. I’ll wear a jacket if I go out in the evening. But I’m not inventing anything.

Montblanc of course evokes pens and writing: what was the last thing you wrote by hand?
I like to write little notes to my wife. It becomes almost original today because with the telephone, we no longer tend to write. However, a word written by hand always has an effect and pleasure. I admit, my writing is not the most beautiful, nor the most fantastic, but that doesn’t matter. The important thing is the gesture and what you put into it.

So Zinédine Zidane is a romantic?
Yes, but with my wife!