Former French footballer and father of Algeria's goalkeeper #23 Luca Zidane, Zinedine Zidane watches during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group E football match between Algeria and Sudan at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on December 24, 2025. AFP
Cameras captured French football legend Zinedine Zidane in the stands at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, among the spectators watching the Africa Cup of Nations Group E match between Algeria and Sudan on Wednesday.
Zidane, whose parents are Algerian, was there to support his son, Luca, who started between the sticks for the Desert Foxes. Luca, a Granada goalkeeper who previously represented France at various youth levels, switched his international allegiance to Algeria, making his debut for the country in a World Cup qualifier against Uganda last October.
“With Algeria, I immediately think of my grandfather,” Luca Zidane told BeIN Sports. “There has always been Algerian culture in my family. I spoke with him before joining the national team, and he was very emotional.”
The younger Zidane produced a solid performance, remaining composed against Sudan’s limited attacks. He is seen as a potential successor to long-serving goalkeeper Raïs M’Bolhi, who has held the starting spot for nearly a decade.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic heaped praise on Luca Zidane’s strong performance in his debut match with the Desert Foxes at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I believe Zidane provided the Algerian players with a sense of security, and played well with the ball, despite this being one of his first matches with the national team,” Petkovic told the post-match news conference.
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