Kylian Mbappe rushed to defend Zinedine Zidane on social media, after the president of the French Football Federation (FFF) claimed he would not have answered the phone if the French legend had called to enquire about the national team job, reports Daily Mail Online.
FFF president Noel Le Graet said that he did not 'care' which management job the former captain took next, as well as saying he did not believe Zidane was ever in the running to take over Les Bleus and that he would not have even answered his call.
It was reported that the ex-Real Madrid boss - regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time - had rejected an advance from the USA, and he had been linked with the French job before Didier Deschamps extended his stay until 2026.
The FFF president rebuked the idea that the three-time Champions League manager was in the running to replace Deschamps, stating that there was no suggestion that the current boss was on his way out.
But his comments sparked fury from PSG star Kylian Mbappe, who wrote: 'Zidane is France, we don't disrespect the legend like that,' wrote the French star forward on Twitter.
Deschamps has led the national team to consecutive World Cup finals - winning in 2018 - as well as the final of Euro 2016 in his home country, but there were suggestions he could walk away after losing to Argentina in December.
As a result, Zidane's name was one linked with the potentially vacant role, given his stature both within the game and his home country as the best player France has ever produced and a proven manager at the top level.
And it is perhaps for this reason that Mbappe waded in and warned Le Graet against showing 'disrespect' to the World Cup winning former captain.
La Graet continued: 'I don't care, he can go where he wants. He can go where he wants, in a club or a national team, I hardly believe it as far as he is concerned.
'Zidane was always under the radar. He had a lot of followers; some were waiting for Deschamps to leave. But who can seriously criticise Deschamps? No one can.
'I have never seen Zidane, we've never thought of separating ourselves from Didier Deschamps.'
Since hanging up his boots the ex-Juventus and Real Madrid star went into management, taking charge of Los Blancos in not one, but two successful spells.
In his first 149-game stint at the Spanish titans, Zidane led them to three consecutive Champions League titles, as well as a LaLiga crown and Club World Cup success, before leaving in summer 2018.
He then returned in 2019 for a further 119 games that brought Real another LaLiga title prior to his exit in June 2021.