Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the second son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, has officially switched his sporting nationality to represent Algeria.
FIFA confirmed the decision on Friday through its "Change of Association Platform," clearing the 27-year-old goalkeeper to feature for the Fennecs.
Born in Marseille and raised in the French system, Luca Zidane was a youth international for France from U16 to U20.
He notably won the UEFA U17 European Championship in 2015, but his progression toward the French senior setup never materialised.
Despite his father’s iconic status with Les Bleus, Luca has opted to embrace his roots by pledging his future to Algeria, the country of origin of his paternal grandparents.
The decision could not come at a more significant moment. Algeria, under coach Vladimir Petkovic, is preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, set for December 21 to January 18.
With the Fennecs also close to securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Zidane’s arrival adds competition and depth to their goalkeeping department.
Currently at the Spanish side Granada in La Liga 2, Luca started the opening matches of the new campaign but has seen his place come under threat following an ankle injury in March.
Still, his experience in Spain’s top two divisions and his football pedigree make him a fascinating addition to Algeria’s player pool.
The move also extends the Zidane family’s strong footballing legacy, with Luca’s younger brother Elyaz recently called up by France for the U20 World Cup.
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