Newly appointed France national football team head coach Zinedine Zidane will maintain his primary residence in Madrid, balancing his international role with life in Spain.
The former Real Madrid manager has confirmed his firm intention to remain based in Madrid, where he has lived for almost 25 years and which he considers one of the best cities in the world to live in.
While taking charge of the French national team represents a return to his sporting home where he won the FIFA World Cup as a player, Zidane regards his property in Madrid as his most intimate personal refuge. Another home was Real Madrid, but his primary family life remains centered in Spain.
Zidane enjoyed a decorated playing career, starring for Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid, as well as earning 108 caps for France. As a manager, he led Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League trophies between 2016 and 2018, establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in modern European football.
Residence in Parque Conde de Orgaz
Zidane and his family settled in the exclusive enclave of Parque Conde de Orgaz in the Hortaleza district of Madrid during the early 2000s, shortly after he signed for Real Madrid as a player.
In 2003, the family acquired a property that originally spanned a double plot of approximately 3,000 square metres, containing more than 400 square metres of constructed space. Over the past two decades, this canvas was gradually molded to accommodate the growing needs and aspirations of the family.
The residence has undergone significant expansions over the years, now exceeding 1,000 square metres of built space. Designed as a sanctuary where privacy is the principal priority, the property is surrounded by exuberant vegetation and shielded by a perimeter wall that limits visibility from the outside.
Inside, the layout features four en-suite bedrooms designed for maximum comfort. The property offers numerous amenities including a private garden, a heated swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, and a private cinema room, creating an oasis of relaxation and entertainment within the home.
The French community in Hortaleza
Parque Conde de Orgaz is situated strategically between Arturo Soria and Avenida de America, offering residents a rare combination of spaciousness, greenery, and privacy while maintaining convenient access to the bustle of central Madrid.
The area is known locally as the neighborhood of the French due to the sizeable French-speaking population that has established itself in the enclave over recent decades.
A key factor in attracting French families to Parque Conde de Orgaz was the proximity of the Liceo Frances, the premier French international educational institution where Zidane's children studied. The presence of the school helped foster a cosmopolitan, international atmosphere throughout the surrounding area.
The Liceo Frances de Madrid, situated in Hortaleza, follows the official French national curriculum from nursery through to the baccalaureate. It has long been a key cultural institution for French expatriates, diplomats, and international professionals residing in Madrid.
The neighborhood also offers excellent transport infrastructure, featuring direct access to the M-30, M-40, and M-11 motorways, as well as close proximity to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport is Spain's primary international airport and a major European transport hub, providing direct daily flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, which will facilitate Zidane's regular travel to French Football Federation headquarters.
Discretion and sports facilities
Parque Conde de Orgaz is distinguished by its quiet discretion, setting it apart from other luxury residential areas in Madrid such as La Finca or La Moraleja through its preference for a more sober elegance and a low profile.
La Finca in Pozuelo de Alarcon and La Moraleja in Alcobendas are famous gated communities on the outskirts of Madrid, heavily populated by top-earning sports stars and celebrities. In contrast, Conde de Orgaz features established tree-lined avenues and single-family detached homes located much closer to Madrid's urban core.
The urbanisation ensures peace of mind for its residents through a 24-hour private security service that maintains a safe and calm environment throughout the neighborhood.
Residents also have access to shared community spaces, extensive green areas, and top-tier sports facilities, including tennis and padel courts.
Padel, a popular enclosed racket sport played extensively throughout Spain, reportedly holds a strong appeal for the former Real Madrid coach, who makes regular use of the local courts to stay fit and enjoy his leisure time.
Balancing national team duties from Spain
Zidane's decision to maintain his primary residence in Spain underlines the deep roots he has planted in Madrid over nearly 25 years.
As he takes on the management of the French national team, he will combine his professional commitments with France with his daily life in Madrid, remaining anchored in the city he regards as his family home.
