While Luca Zidane seemed to have established himself after an encouraging CAN 2025 in Morocco, the Stade Nyonnais goalkeeper has just shaken up the established order. At 26 years old, this 1.94 year old goalkeeper officially expressed his desire to join the Algerian selection, driven by a strong family heritage and significant memories, such as the epic of 2014 and the coronation of 2019.
Melvin Mastil arrives
Coach Vladimir Petkovic took note of this appeal. According to the latest information from the specialist press, Melvin Mastil has been included in the extended list for the March 2026 training camp. This choice is not anecdotal: with the international retirement of Osama Benbot and the persistent doubts around Anthony Mandrea, Petkovic is actively seeking to establish real and lasting competition as the World Cup approaches. Mastil, author of solid performances in the Swiss second division with several clean sheets already this season, represents a serious option to rejuvenate and secure the position.
“ Like I said, that’s still a goal of mine. I grew up with the Algerian selection. When I saw the journey they made at the 2014 World Cup, it made me dream, just like their success at the CAN in 2019. I did not miss a CAN match in Morocco, just after training, I found myself with Algerian friends for the selection matches. There are quite a few aspects that make me support Algeria. (…) I am attached to this country through my grandfather, he grew up in a district of Algiers. I have always experienced the selection through its transmission, through its stories. And also through my mother, she is Algerian. It’s a bit of all this that means Algeria has always had an important place in my heart. It’s a personal goal that I’ve rarely talked about. It’s an engine that pushes me. And if I have to be called up in March or in the next few years, it would be a huge source of pride to represent Algeria. »
The competition promises to be particularly dense for Luca Zidane
The competition promises to be particularly dense for Luca Zidane. Besides Mastil, other names like Abdellah El Aïdani or Alexis Guendouz are also under the radar of the technical staff. Petkovic’s objective is clear: redistribute the cards to ensure that the three goalkeepers who will fly to North America this summer are the most efficient at the moment. For Mastil, the next step will be to transform his pre-call into a definitive place in the group which will face Guatemala and Uruguay in friendly matches at the end of March.
This strategic movement confirms the desire of the Algerian Football Federation not to leave any binational talent behind. By publicly displaying his ambition, Melvin Mastil has already taken an important psychological step. It now remains for him to prove on the ground, if he is called up, that he has the shoulders to take on the role of successor to the great Algerian legends in the position of last rampart.
