RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Despite his famous last name, Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane is trying to do his own thing at the African Cup of Nations.
Zidane, 27, is yet to concede a goal after starting both of Algeria’s opening games and will be rested for the final group game against Equatorial Guinea before returning for the Fennec Foxes’ last-16 match against Congo on Tuesday.
Zidane’s father, French superstar Zinedine Zidane, was at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat to watch his son play in Algeria’s opening match. 3-0 victory over Sudan And also for 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso.
Zidane Sr., whose parents emigrated to France from Algeria in the 1950s, was celebrated by supporters every time he appeared on screen. But he wasn’t alone. Luca Zidane’s mother and brother were also at the stadium to watch him play.
“I’m glad they’re here and they support me,” the goalkeeper told SNTV this week. “We all know it’s special for the players to have their families come.”
Luca Zidane was born in France to a Spanish mother and chose to represent the country of his grandparents after receiving an invitation from the Algerian federation. He got his chance to shine at the Africa Cup because Alexandre Oukija suffered a knee injury, otherwise he would likely have started.
“It is a source of pride for me to represent my country at the Africa Cup of Nations. It is a great experience,” he said. “Representing the country was already a great thing.”
Luca Zidane, like his three brothers, grew up through Real Madrid’s youth ranks. He mainly played in the first team as a reserve goalkeeper and initially left on loan in 2019 in search of more playing time. Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains Real Madrid’s first choice. Zidane plays club soccer for Granada in Spain’s second division.
“I’m trying to be myself and build my career in my own way,” Luca Zidane said. “Here at the national team, we try to help the team as much as possible to achieve our goals. It’s the same at club level. So I’m trying to build my career step by step.”
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Associated Press at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
