Luca Zidane: Algeria | Stats | Religion | Dates Joined | Age | Real Madrid

In the world of football dynasties, few names resonate as strongly as Zidane. While Zinedine Zidane’s legendary status is undisputed, his son Luca Zinedine Zidane is now crafting his own distinct path—one that recently saw a pivotal turn: opting to represent Algeria at the senior international level. In this comprehensive article, we delve deep into Luca’s career, statistics, age, religion, connection to Real Madrid, and the timeline of his decision to play for Algeria.

Who Is Luca Zidane?

Luca Zinedine Zidane was born on 13 May 1998 in Aix-en-Provence, France, and is a professional goalkeeper currently playing for Granada CF in Spain’s Segunda División. He is the son of Zinedine Zidane, the iconic French footballer and former Real Madrid manager. 

 Early Life and Football Roots

• Full Name: Luca Zinedine Zidane

• Birthplace: Aix-en-Provence, France

• Date of Birth: 13 May 1998

• Height: ~1.83 m

• Position: Goalkeeper

• Current Club: Granada CF

• Club Number: 1

Luca grew up immersed in football. His father’s storied career forged a unique environment, with all four Zidane brothers — Enzo, Theo, Luca, and Elyaz — entering the sport. They all developed at the Real Madrid youth academy, a testament to their upbringing in elite football culture. 

Club Career: From Real Madrid to Granada

Real Madrid Academy (2004–2018)

Luca joined Real Madrid’s youth setup at an early age and spent over a decade developing in one of the world’s most prestigious academies. 

Real Madrid B & Senior Debut

• Real Madrid B: 49 appearances

• Real Madrid First Team: 2 appearances
  He made his senior debut late in the 2017–18 season and was part of the squad during Real Madrid’s successful Champions League campaign in 2018.

Loan to Racing Santander (2019–2020)

A season on loan with Racing Santander gave Luca regular first-team experience, accumulating over 30 league appearances. 

Rayo Vallecano (2020–2022)

His next chapter was with Rayo Vallecano in Spain’s top tier, where he continued to gather valuable match minutes. 

SD Eibar (2022–2024)

During his time at Eibar, Luca played consistently in the Spanish Segunda División, further honing his craft. 

Granada CF (2024–Present)

Currently, Luca serves as a key keeper for Granada CF, making 29+ appearances in the 2025 season. 

International Career: France Youth to Algeria Senior

France Youth Representation

Luca represented France at multiple youth levels:

• France U16, U17, U18, U19, U20
  His youth international career included several caps but no senior team appearances, leaving him eligible for a switch.

Switch to Algeria (2025)

In a landmark moment for his international career, FIFA granted Luca Zidane approval to represent the Algeria national team on 19 September 2025 after his application through the Change of Association Platform. This was possible because he had never played for France’s senior team. 

Why Algeria?
Luca is eligible through his paternal grandparents, who were from the Kabylie region in Algeria, giving him a deep familial connection to the country. 

This strategic and emotional choice presents a new chapter in his career, potentially taking place on a global stage — like the FIFA World Cup 2026 and Africa Cup of Nations competitions. 

Career Statistics

His position as a goalkeeper means goals scored = 0, but his presence between the posts has been consistent across multiple levels of competition. 

Religion and Identity

While football statistics and transfers are publicly documented, insight into Luca’s religion is more personal and less formally reported in mainstream sources. However, given his Algerian and Kabyle heritage — and his father’s background — there are cultural ties to Islam, although the exact personal religious practice of Luca hasn’t been officially stated in public records. 

This cultural identity is important not only in terms of international representation but also how football fans around the world perceive players with a blend of European and North African heritage.

Timeline: Key Dates in Luca’s Career

Impact of the Switch to Algeria

Luca’s transfer to the Algerian national team is significant on several fronts:

Cultural and Family Legacy

Choosing Algeria represents more than football ambition — it connects Luca with his ancestral roots and honors his grandparents’ heritage. This decision also shows the increasing multicultural nature of international football. 

Competitive Opportunity

With Algeria competing in World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations, Luca now has the chance to shine on major international stages — opportunities that might have been limited in the French national setup. 

Leadership and Experience

While still relatively young for a goalkeeper, Luca already brings years of professional experience across Spain’s leagues — expertise that could strengthen Algeria’s roster at pivotal tournaments. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How old is Luca Zidane?

Luca Zidane is 27 years old, born on 13 May 1998. 

2. Which country does Luca Zidane play for internationally?

As of 2025, Luca represents the Algeria national team after switching allegiance from France. 

3. Why did Luca Zidane switch from France to Algeria?

He never played for France’s senior team and is eligible for Algeria through his paternal grandparents, embracing both heritage and competitive opportunities. 

4. What clubs has Luca Zidane played for?

He featured in Real Madrid’s youth and senior teams, was loaned to Racing Santander, then played for Rayo Vallecano, SD Eibar, and currently Granada CF. 

5. What position does Luca Zidane play?

He is a goalkeeper. 

6. Does Luca Zidane practice Islam?

Public records do not detail his personal religious practice. However, his Algerian family heritage is rooted in Muslim culture. 

7. When did Luca officially join Algeria’s national team?

FIFA approved his switch on 19 September 2025. 

Conclusion

Luca Zidane’s story is a testament to football’s global nature — where heritage, opportunity, and identity converge on the international stage. From his early years in Real Madrid’s academy to his dynamic role with Granada CF and now a fresh chapter with Algeria, Luca continues to grow and define his own legacy, separate but inspired by one of football’s all-time greats, his father Zinedine.