A zidane at the Fennecs! Although the Algerian supporters would have dreamed of seeing Zinedine carry their colors, it is ultimately one of his sons who will travel. FIFA confirmed on its official website that the Grenada goalkeeper Luca Zidane has changed sports nationality and is now eligible to represent Algeria. At 27, the Marseille native therefore definitively turns his back on the French selections.
Trained at Real Madrid, Luca Zidane has made all his career in Spain, passing through the youth teams from Madrid (2014-2019), Racing Santander, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar and finally Granada since July 2024. In selection, he attended almost all the teams of young French women, totaling 3 selections in the U16, 14 in the U17, U18, 6 in the U19 and 1 among the U20s in 2018.
A win-win choice
Having never been integrated into the French team or asked by Didier Deschamps for the guards' rotation, Luca Zidane decided to try his luck with the country of origin of his father. The announcement should make a big splash in Algeria, where it could be summoned by Vladimir Petkovic for the matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia (October 9) and Uganda (October 14).
This choice of nationality also offers Luca a better exhibition. Currently a Spanish second division player, it had been announced in the viewfinder of Paris FC this summer without concretizing the opportunity. The goalkeeper will now have to win to become the number one of the Fennecs, in competition with Alexis Guendouz (MC Algiers). If everything goes as planned, Luca Zidane could join the Algerian selection next month.
