Luca Zidane, Granada and Algerian national team goalkeeper, has expressed his deep resentment over persistent claims that he only plays professional football because of his father’s famous name, emphasizing the immense effort he has put in to establish his own career in the beautiful game.
The shot-stopper faced heavy criticism following a subpar performance in Algeria’s World Cup 2026 opener against Argentina, where he conceded three goals scored by Lionel Messi.
In light of this, the famous Spanish football show El Chiringuito rebroadcast an excerpt from a previous interview where Luca spoke candidly about his struggles with critics who question his abilities and attribute his career solely to being the son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane.
Luca Zidane on his father’s legacy: “Being the son of Zinedine Zidane is a source of pride that cannot be ignored; it is a part of both my personal and professional life. I accept this reality and I am completely used to it. It certainly doesn’t bother me when fans call me ‘Zidane’s son’.”
“What truly infuriates me,” Luca added, “is when people claim that everything I have accomplished in my football career is purely due to my father’s name and his legendary status. That is undoubtedly what hurts the most.”
Luca chose to represent Algeria internationally over his birth country, France, qualifying through his paternal roots. He made his official debut for the Desert Warriors during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
At the time, he faced considerable backlash for his performances in the knockout stages. The scrutiny has intensified significantly during this World Cup, casting massive doubt over whether he will remain in goal for Algeria’s upcoming crucial match against Jordan next Tuesday.
