What Happened to Luca Zidane Fernández?
Luca Zidane, son of football legend Zinedine Zidane, is a professional goalkeeper who developed through Real Madrid's youth academy before forging his senior career in Spain's Segunda División with clubs like Racing Santander, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, and currently Granada CF. In a significant career move, he switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria in late 2025 and is set to represent the North African nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Quick Answer
Luca Zidane is currently a 28-year-old professional goalkeeper for Granada CF in Spain's Segunda División, with his contract extending until June 2027. After representing France at youth levels, he officially switched his international allegiance to Algeria in September 2025, making his senior debut for them in October 2025. He played in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and is projected to be part of Algeria's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite recently recovering from a fractured jaw sustained in April 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Marseille, France
Luca Zidane Fernández was born in Marseille, France, the second son of Zinedine Zidane and Veronique Fernández.
Joined Real Madrid Youth Academy
At the age of six, Luca Zidane joined the Real Madrid youth academy, beginning his football development at the prestigious club.
Won UEFA European Under-17 Championship with France
Luca Zidane represented France at youth international level and was part of the squad that won the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
Real Madrid Professional Debut
Zidane made his professional debut for Real Madrid in their final La Liga game of the 2017–18 season, a 2–2 draw against Villarreal CF.
Loaned to Racing Santander
To gain more first-team experience, Luca Zidane was loaned to Racing Santander in the Segunda División for the 2019–20 season.
Joined Rayo Vallecano
After leaving Real Madrid, Zidane signed a two-year contract with Rayo Vallecano, where he would play a key role in their promotion to La Liga.
Signed with SD Eibar
As a free agent, Luca Zidane signed a two-year contract with SD Eibar in the Segunda División, quickly becoming their first-choice goalkeeper.
Renewed Contract with Eibar
Zidane extended his contract with Eibar until 2026, solidifying his position as a key player for the club.
Joined Granada CF
Luca Zidane agreed to a three-year deal with Granada CF, who had recently been relegated to the Segunda División, becoming their first-choice goalkeeper.
FIFA Approves Allegiance Switch to Algeria
FIFA approved Luca Zidane's request to change his sporting nationality from French to Algerian, making him eligible to play for the Algeria national team.
Algeria National Team Debut
Zidane made his senior debut for Algeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Uganda, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory.
Participated in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Luca Zidane was named in Algeria's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he started and kept three clean sheets in three matches, helping his team advance to the quarter-finals.
Suffered Fractured Jaw
Zidane sustained a fractured jaw during a LaLiga2 match against Almeria, raising concerns about his fitness for the upcoming World Cup.
Returned to Play for Algeria
Despite his recent injury, Luca Zidane returned to action for Algeria, playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win away at the Netherlands, showcasing his recovery and readiness for the World Cup.
Projected for 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
As of today, Luca Zidane is projected to be part of Algeria's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his potential debut in the prestigious tournament.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Luca Zidane Fernández, born on May 13, 1998, in Marseille, France, began his football journey at the prestigious Real Madrid youth academy in 2004 at the age of six, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Zinedine Zidane. He progressed through the ranks, eventually playing for Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team. Zidane made his professional debut for Real Madrid's first team on May 19, 2018, in a La Liga match against Villarreal CF. Despite being part of the squad that won multiple UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup titles, securing a regular first-team spot at Real Madrid proved challenging due to the presence of world-class goalkeepers. (Source: Wikipedia, 2018; Fandom, 2018)
Seeking more consistent playing time, Zidane embarked on a series of moves. He was loaned to Racing Santander in Spain's Segunda División for the 2019-2020 season, where he gained valuable senior experience. In October 2020, he joined Rayo Vallecano on a permanent deal. His time at Rayo was marked by a significant achievement as he played a crucial role in their promotion to La Liga during the 2020-2021 season, notably performing well in the promotion playoffs. However, in the subsequent La Liga season, he found himself relegated to a backup role. (Source: Wikipedia, 2020; Grokipedia, 2020)
In September 2022, Zidane moved to SD Eibar, signing a two-year contract and quickly establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. He renewed his contract with Eibar until 2026 in March 2023. After two seasons with Eibar, where he made 77 appearances, he signed a three-year deal with Granada CF on July 5, 2024, following their relegation to the Segunda División. Granada aimed to return to the top flight, and Zidane was identified as a key player for their project. (Source: Wikipedia, 2022; TransferFeed, 2024; Grokipedia, 2024)
A pivotal moment in his career came in September 2025 when FIFA approved his request to switch his international sporting nationality from France to Algeria, qualifying through his paternal grandparents. He made his senior debut for the Algeria national team on October 14, 2025, in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uganda. Zidane was subsequently named in Algeria's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept three clean sheets in three starts, helping his team reach the quarter-finals. (Source: Wikipedia, 2025; AS USA, 2026; FOX Sports, 2026)
As of June 17, 2026, Luca Zidane continues to play for Granada CF, with his contract set to expire on June 30, 2027. He suffered a fractured jaw in late April 2026 but returned to play for Algeria in early June 2026, notably starting in a friendly win against the Netherlands on June 3, 2026. He is currently projected to be part of Algeria's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone in his international career. (Source: FotMob, 2026; Flashscore.com, 2026; AS USA, 2026; beIN SPORTS, 2026)
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Luca Zidane Fernández made different choices?