The former French player Zinedine Zidaneconsidered one of the best of his time and one of the best footballers of all time, he only faced the Argentine Lionel once Messiin a classic between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, in which the Brazilian Ronaldinho ended up standing out after the 0-3 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
His eldest son, Enzo Zidanealso played only once against La Pulga, in 2017, when the midfielder was playing for Alavés. However, in this 2026 World Cup there could be a third Zidane against Lionel Messi: Lukethe goalkeeper Algeriawhich will be the first rival of the current champion in the World Cup of North America.
Because Luca was born in the city of Marseilles, Franceon May 13, 1998 (two months before his father was crowned world champion), the goalkeeper played with the French national team in the youth categories. However, later he decided to represent the Algerian team to play with the country of his paternal grandparents.
On September 19, 2025, it was authorized by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to play with Algeria and made his debut in October of that same year in a qualification match for the 2026 World Cup against Ugandain which he conceded a goal, so he was called up to participate in this World Cup.
Luca Zidane returns his father’s surname to the World Cup
The destiny of the 2026 World Cup has wanted to give us one of the most family connections poetic of modern football, since, exactly two decades after the legendary Zinedine Zidane said goodbye to the fields in the final of Germany 2006his illustrious surname is once again inscribed with letters of gold in the World Cup.
At 28 years old, the current goalkeeper of the GrenadeLuca Zidane, will take the field to defend the goal of the Algerian team in their World Cup debut against Argentina and, given the circumstances, this step was firmly supported by the blood ties and deep roots of his paternal grandparents, Smail and Malika.
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The great Zinedine Zidane said goodbye with a controversy final against Italy on July 9, 2006, in Berlin. However, although Zizou scored the French equalizer that day, he was later sent off for that headbutt. Marco Materazzi in extra time, and the Italian team won in the penaltiesso the French was noted as guilty.
Twenty years later, the Zidane surname will return to World Cup history with Luca, who took advantage of the ancestry his father’s Algerian national team to, for nine months, play for Algeria and become the starting goalkeeper against the Albiceleste of Lionel Messi and company, which is prepared to accelerate the momentum of the world champion.
Why does Luca Zidane wear a mask?
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane has earned an important place in the Algerian team and usually attracts attention for a particular detail of his appearance: a protective mask that he uses during games. This is due to a fracture facial that he suffered on his jaw and chin at the end of April, during a match between Granada and Almería.
The injury almost forced him to miss the 2026 World Cup, but the former goalkeeper Rayo Vallecano decided to undergo a surgery quick to ensure bone consolidation and use this special implement to protect the affected area and continue competing with Algeria against the teams from Argentina, Jordan and Austria.