Luca, the Zidane who chose Algeria: why he chose to play for the African country

Luca Zidane is ready to stand in the way of the reigning world champions. Algeria’s starting goalkeeper will be the man tasked with stopping Messi and company — and while everyone knows he’s the son of Zinedine Zidane, far fewer people know how he ended up defending the net for the Desert Foxes. Born in Marseille in 1998 but raised mostly in Madrid, Luca grew up with three national‑team options. He could have played for France, where his father became a global icon; Spain, the country that shaped him as a player; or Algeria, the homeland of his paternal grandparents. In September of last year, thanks to those Algerian family roots, he was officially declared eligible to represent Algeria. It took just one month for the North African squad to call him up. After a strong season with Granada, Luca made his senior debut for Algeria during a World Cup qualifier against Uganda on October 14, 2025. Algeria won 2–1, and Luca played all 90 minutes — a confident first step in his new international identity. Since then, he has made seven appearances for the national team under Vladimir Petkovic. Luca isn’t the only member of the Zidane clan who faced a three‑flag dilemma. Each of the four brothers grew up eligible for three national teams, and each made his own choice: During his youth career, Luca consistently chose France. He wore the French U‑17 jersey and even became a European champion, turning into the hero of the semifinal by saving three penalties against Belgium. Nearly a decade later, Algeria knocked on his door — and the chance to play in a World Cup representing the country of his grandparents was too meaningful to pass up. The decision worked for both sides: Algeria gained a high‑level goalkeeper, and Luca gained a national team where he could build his own legacy rather than live in the shadow of his father’s. Now, mask and all, he’s stepping onto the biggest stage in world soccer, ready for his World Cup adventure. Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere. And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.