Kansas City, June 17: For nearly three decades, the surname “Zidane” has been synonymous with football greatness. On Tuesday night, it echoed around a FIFA World Cup stadium once again but this time, it belonged to Luca Zidane, the son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, who made his World Cup debut for Algeria against defending champions Argentina.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper has chosen to forge his own path by representing Algeria, the homeland of his paternal grandparents, after previously featuring for France at youth level. FIFA approved his switch of international allegiance in 2025, paving the way for his appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
Luca’s journey to the World Cup has been anything but straightforward. Just weeks before the tournament, the Granada goalkeeper suffered a fractured jaw during a club match in Spain, raising serious doubts over his availability. After an intensive rehabilitation, he returned wearing a protective face mask, determined not to miss the opportunity to represent Algeria on the global stage.
Although Algeria fell 3-0 to Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in their opening Group J fixture, the occasion marked a historic milestone. Luca and Zinedine Zidane became the 27th father-son duo to appear at a FIFA World Cup and only the second to represent different nations at the tournament.
While comparisons with his father are inevitable, Luca has repeatedly insisted that his ambition is to build his own identity rather than live off one of football’s most famous surnames. Representing Algeria, he says, is both a personal choice and a tribute to his family’s heritage.
