Luca Zidane, the son of football legend Zinedine Zidane, don become Algeria starting goalkeeper for 2026 World Cup. But many people dey wonder why he dey wear mask for field. The answer na serious injury wey he suffer while playing for Granada for Spain.
For late April, during match against Almeria, Luca collide for air with opponent, wey give am fractured jaw, fractured chin, and severe concussion. The injury sideline am for rest of Granada season, and e put im World Cup hope for danger. But instead of doing surgery wey go end im season, Luca and im medical team choose option wey go allow am play with protective mask.
Luca tell reporters say e don recover well. He say: “I’m doing well, I don’t have any pain anymore. The surgery went well and five weeks have passed now. I returned to training on the pitch two weeks ago and I’m very happy.”
Now, with mask on, Luca go face Argentina and Lionel Messi for World Cup. But how e come end up for Algeria? Born for Marseille for 1998, but raise for Madrid, Luca grow up with three national team options: France, Spain, or Algeria. He represent France for youth level, even win European Championship with U-17 team, where he save three penalties against Belgium for semifinal.
But for senior level, he never play for France. Because of that, he still eligible to switch. He hold triple citizenship: French by birth, Spanish through im mother, and Algerian through im paternal grandparents. For September 2025, he file change-of-federation request with FIFA, and dem give am green light to play for Algeria.
Algeria call am up one month later. He make im senior debut for October 14, 2025, during World Cup qualifier against Uganda. Algeria win 2-1, and Luca play all 90 minutes. Since then, he don make seven appearances for national team under coach Vladimir Petkovic.
Luca no be only Zidane child wey face three-flag dilemma. All four brothers get same option, but each make im own choice. For Luca, the chance to play World Cup for country of im grandparents too meaningful to pass up. E give Algeria high-level goalkeeper, and Luca get national team where e fit build im own legacy, no be just live for shadow of im papa.
Now, mask and all, e dey step onto biggest stage for world soccer, ready for im World Cup adventure.
