'I Wanted to Honour Him' – Luca Zidane Breaks Silence After Dream AFCON Debut for Algeria

Algeria emphatically ended a six-year wait for a victory at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, launching their Morocco 2025 campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Sudan in Rabat.

The night was filled with milestones. Riyad Mahrez scored twice, becoming Algeria's all-time leading scorer at the AFCON finals with eight goals.

Meanwhile, substitute Ibrahim Maza, at just 20 years and 30 days old, became the nation's youngest-ever scorer in the tournament's history.

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But amidst the attacking prowess, it was goalkeeper Luca Zidane who made a quiet yet decisive impact, marking his AFCON debut with a memorable clean sheet.

At the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Algeria's victory was defined as much by their impenetrable defence as by their clinical finishing.

Entrusted with the starting goalkeeper role, Luca Zidane delivered a dream debut, keeping his goal secure throughout the convincing win.

The 27-year-old Granada keeper showed composure and authority, calmly handling Sudan's few threatening moments and providing a reassuring presence for his team.

Head coach Vladimir Petković praised his new keeper's performance. "Zidane gave the team a real sense of security and played well with his feet, despite it being one of his first matches with the national team," he noted.

Protected by an experienced backline featuring Rayan Aït-Nouri and Ramy Bensebaini, Zidane established himself as a solid foundation for the Fennecs, proving his selection was no mere chance.

Zidane's international career could have followed a different trajectory. After representing France at youth levels, he made a deeply personal decision to pledge his allegiance to Algeria, a choice heavily influenced by his family. His grandfather played a pivotal role in encouraging him to connect with his heritage.

"My grandfather encouraged me to play for Algeria. He wanted me to be proud of my origins, and I wanted to honour him," Zidane explained in an interview with CAFOnline. "My father told me to make my choice and to do it with conviction."

That strong family connection was on full display in Rabat, where his father, French football icon and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, watched from the stands.

The former Real Madrid manager received warm applause whenever he appeared on the stadium's screens, though it did little to distract his son.

"It’s really nice that he came with my brother," Luca Zidane said. "I’ve always had my family’s support, and seeing them here at AFCON gives me even more strength to defend Algeria’s colours."

Zidane's emergence coincides with a period of transition for Algerian football. After failing to win a single match or advance from the group stage in the 2021 and 2023 AFCON editions, the Fennecs were desperate to restore their defensive solidity.

The goalkeeper position in Algeria has been defined by legendary figures, most notably Rais M’Bolhi, whose heroic displays at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments set a high standard.

Now, Luca Zidane steps into that legacy, bringing his own style to the role, calm under pressure, authoritative in his command of the box, and skilled in building play from the back.

His clean sheet against Sudan was the product of careful preparation, a deliberate career path, and a clear resolve to excel in one of football's most demanding positions.

Following their convincing start, Zidane and Algeria must now shift their focus to their next opponent, Burkina Faso, on Sunday.

The Burkinabè will be a tough test, coming off a thrilling 2-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea in their own opening match.

For the Fennecs, the goal is clear: to build on their revival, maintain the defensive stability that Luca Zidane has helped establish, and continue to blend experience with new talent as they look to put their recent tournament struggles firmly behind them.