Zinedine Zidane’s Son Targeting World Cup Spot

Luca Zidane Ready to ‘Give Everything’ After Being Called Up to Algeria National Team for the First Time at 27

The Zidane name is back on the international stage — and this time, it carries the green and white of Algeria.

For Luca Zidane, son of French football royalty Zinedine Zidane, this is not a story about inheritance. It’s about identity, patience, and carving out a path that’s entirely his own. At 27 years old, the Granada goalkeeper has finally been called up to a senior national team — and he’s made the choice to represent Algeria, the country of his grandparents and a place that already feels like home.

“I’m proud, so proud,” he said after landing in Algiers to a hero’s welcome. “For me and for my family, this is something special. I’m here to give everything for this shirt.”

A Zidane Returns to the International Stage

Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid CF – La Liga Santander

When Luca Zidane stepped out at the Houari Boumediene Airport earlier this week, cameras flashed, fans waved flags, and chants of “Zidane! Zidane!” filled the air. It was a surreal sight — the son of one of football’s greatest icons, now taking his first steps into a new footballing chapter under the Algerian flag.

Born in Marseille but raised in Madrid, Luca grew up in the orbit of greatness. His father, Zinedine, was the epitome of elegance on a football pitch — a Ballon d’Or winner, World Cup champion, and Real Madrid legend. But for Luca, the path was never as straightforward as the surname might suggest.

A product of Real Madrid’s academy, he showed flashes of the technical composure that made his father a global superstar — only in gloves, not boots. He spent years working his way through Castilla and the fringes of the senior squad, before moving to Racing Santander and later Rayo Vallecano, gradually earning respect through quiet consistency rather than flair.

Now at Granada, he’s become a reliable figure in La Liga, known for sharp reflexes, calm distribution, and a grounded professionalism that has impressed coaches and teammates alike.

But this call-up — his first-ever international selection — marks a turning point.

Switching Allegiance: From France to Algeria

Luca Zidane’s decision to switch from France to Algeria was both emotional and deliberate.

He had been part of France’s youth setup years ago, featuring for Les Bleus at the U17 and U20 levels, but the senior call-up never came. By contrast, Algeria’s interest felt personal — a door opening to rediscover his family roots.

“I was born in France, raised in Spain, but my blood has always been part Algerian,” he told reporters. “My grandfather is proud. My family is proud. This is my choice, and everyone is behind me.”

In many ways, it mirrors a wider trend in Algerian football — a golden generation of dual-national talents choosing the Fennecs over their birth nations. Riyad Mahrez, Ismaël Bennacer, Houssem Aouar, Rayan Aït-Nouri — all have made similar decisions in recent years, enriching Algeria’s pool of technical, tactically mature players.

For Zidane, though, it’s more than just football. It’s a statement about belonging.

‘I Would Give Everything to Fill the Algerian People with Joy’

When he spoke to Algerian journalists for the first time, Luca’s voice carried both humility and ambition.

“I know what it means to wear this shirt,” he said. “I’ve heard what the atmosphere is like on match days — the passion, the singing, the pride. I would give everything to fill the Algerian people with joy.”

Those words resonated across social media, drawing an emotional response from fans who have long embraced players with dual heritage. Many still remember how Zinedine Zidane, born to Algerian parents in France, became a global symbol of multicultural success.

Now, Luca’s arrival feels like a poetic continuation of that legacy — not a copy of his father’s journey, but an echo of it.

A Measured Start Under Vladimir Petkovic

Still, Algeria’s coach Vladimir Petkovic has chosen to ease the new arrival in gently.

When the Fennecs faced Somalia in their most recent World Cup qualifier, Petkovic opted to start Alexis Guendouz, preferring the stability of an established goalkeeper. It was a cautious move — Algeria had already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and there was little need to throw Luca straight into the deep end.

The decision worked. Algeria cruised to a 3–0 win, sealing their place in next summer’s tournament in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. But behind the scenes, the buzz was all about the new No. 1 candidate waiting in the wings.

Zidane could make his debut in the next and final qualifier against Uganda in Tizi Ouzou — a chance to finally don the gloves for his adopted homeland.

“He’s training well, adapting fast,” a team source told DZ Foot. “He’s calm, confident, and very professional. You can tell he grew up in a top environment. It’s not easy to come into a national team this late, but Luca has the personality to do it.”

A New Chapter in the Zidane Legacy

FBL-ESP-LIGA-RAYO VALLECANO-REAL MADRID

For Algeria, the symbolism is enormous.

To have a Zidane represent the Fennecs is more than just a sporting moment — it’s a bridge between two football cultures that have long shared history and emotion.

For Luca, it’s also a personal quest to define his own chapter within that famous surname.

“My father’s career is unique,” he said with a smile when asked about comparisons. “But I’m not here to be him. I’m here to be me.”

It’s a humble answer, but there’s steel behind it. The younger Zidane knows the expectations that come with his name — the scrutiny, the headlines, the whispers of privilege. Yet those who’ve followed his career know how much he’s had to fight for every opportunity.

At Real Madrid, he was often labeled “Zidane’s son.” At Granada, he’s just Luca the goalkeeper, a player earning his minutes on merit.

Now, with Algeria, he has a chance to show the world that his story belongs to him alone.

Petkovic’s Project: Blending Experience and Renewal

Coach Vladimir Petkovic, known for his tactical pragmatism, has been quietly rebuilding Algeria’s squad with an eye on the future.

He’s blending the proven experience of veterans like Riyad Mahrez and Youcef Atal with the hunger of younger, dual-national stars. Luca Zidane fits perfectly into that vision — a player with European schooling, a grounded mindset, and a hunger to represent something bigger than himself.

“There’s competition, like everywhere in football,” Luca admitted. “That’s good. It means we have a strong team, and that’s positive for the future.”

With seven starts for Granada this season, he’s playing the best football of his career. His reflex saves, command of the box, and confidence in possession have turned heads across La Liga. If he continues at this pace, Algeria may soon have a new No.1 heading into 2026.

From Madrid to Algiers: Writing His Own Story

The story of Luca Zidane is not about the pressure of a surname. It’s about resilience, identity, and rediscovery.

He’s had his share of setbacks — loans, limited minutes, the shadow of expectation — but through it all, he’s carved his own path with quiet dignity.

Now, standing on the cusp of his first international cap, he carries a sense of gratitude. Gratitude to his family, to Algeria, and to football itself.

“This is a new chapter,” he said. “A new story. I’m ready to give everything.”

The name Zidane will once again echo on football’s biggest stage. But this time, it will do so in a new color — the proud green of Algeria.