Da Cunha delighted by Zidane: "He made me feel I deserved my place"

Lucas Da Cunha made no secret of his enthusiasm after his first gathering under Zinédine Zidane’s command. Called up again for France’s next two Nations League matches — against Italy on November 12 in Milan and Turkey on November 15 in Bordeaux — the Como midfielder shared his impressions with Parisien.

“He’s a legend for all of us and, as a person, someone exceptional. I loved it!” said the 25-year-old player, who had been called up to the France squad for the first time last September. During this inaugural gathering of the Zidane era, Da Cunha quickly established himself in the Blues’ midfield, in a playmaking role in front of defence, comparable to Vitinha’s role at PSG.

What clearly struck the former Rennes, Lausanne, Nice and Clermont player was the particular attention the manager paid to newcomers. “Whenever he had a moment, he would come and talk to me, taking an interest in me as a man and as a player,” he said. “Even during training sessions, he communicated a lot and highlighted every positive thing. He made me feel I deserved my place.”

Da Cunha stressed that this approach was not reserved for him alone. “What he did with me, he did with all the newcomers. He didn’t have to, but it didn’t surprise me: we know the class of this man.” Having arrived at Como three years ago, when the Lombard club was still playing in Serie B, the midfielder has since climbed the ranks to become the captain in Serie A.