Zidane appoints Xavier Giraudon, Canal+ journalist, as France press officer

Zinédine Zidane has found his press officer: Xavier Giraudon, a journalist previously employed by Canal+ and Infosport+, is set to join the France national team staff, according to reports from Le Parisien and RMC Sport published on Tuesday.

Giraudon will succeed Raphaël Raymond, who held the position since 2018. The role involves managing media relations with the Blues’ players, notably organizing press conferences and interview sessions. The journalist has reportedly recently resigned from his permanent contract at Canal+, where he commentated on the Première Ligue Arkéma, among other duties, to join the national staff.

Zidane’s choice is not insignificant: the two men have known each other since the early 1990s, when Giraudon covered matches for Girondins de Bordeaux, the club where the future Ballon d’Or winner played. Zidane himself is reportedly behind this appointment, with his long-standing relationship with the journalist weighing heavily in the decision.

His official appointment is expected in the coming days. Additionally, Bernard Diomède’s name has been circulating insistently within the Blues’ entourage as a potential next recruit to Zidane’s staff.