Luca Zidane, the second son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, will make his World Cup debut for Algeria at age 28, with his father expected to watch from the stands tonight. The 2026 tournament has become a reunion of footballing sons, but Luca’s path is different, because he will face Argentina as Algeria’s last line of defense.
Born just before France’s 1998 World Cup triumph, Luca spent years trying to build a career separate from his father’s name. In 2015, he first drew notice in France’s Under-17 European Championship semifinal against Belgium, where he missed a Panenka-style penalty but then saved three straight shootout attempts to send France to the final. At Real Madrid, he was promoted to the first team in 2017-18, made his official debut against Villarreal in the final league match, and was quickly accused in Spanish media and by fans of benefiting from nepotism.
He later moved through Spanish clubs Racing Santander, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar and Granada to establish himself. In one interview, he said, “My father had his path and his career. I have my path and my career.” In September 2025, FIFA approved his switch in sporting nationality, and he chose Algeria, the land of his grandparents from a small village in Kabylie. In club football he insisted on “Luca” on his shirt, but for Algeria he now wears “Zidane” as a tribute to his grandfather. Zidane family members have supported him openly, including his father.
The move paid off quickly. An injury to planned first-choice keeper Alexandre Oukidja pushed him into the lineup at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept three clean sheets in his first three matches and earned praise from coach Vladimir Petković, who said, “Luca gave us a real sense of security, and his footwork is excellent.” In World Cup qualifying, he produced a crucial save against Sudan in Rabat to preserve a 1-0 lead and help Algeria reach the tournament. His route has not been smooth, as Algeria were knocked out by Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals in January, earning him a two-match suspension, and he fractured his jaw at Granada in late April. After a rapid recovery, he is now set to start against Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Argentina.
