While football is known for its helmets, the only protection soccer players have during the game is their chin guards. This is the reason why Luca Zidane’s World Cup appearance against Argentina had fans doing a double-take. And it wasn’t because of his famous last name.
On June 13, the Algerian goalkeeper took the field wearing a black protective mask during the team’s 13th group-stage match, leaving many viewers wondering what happened.
© picture allianceIt turns out the 28-year-old is still recovering from a frightening injury he suffered less than two months before the tournament.
© Icon SportswireBack on April 27, Luca was playing for Granada in a match against Almería when an accidental collision left him with fractures to his jaw and chin. The impact was severe enough that he was taken from the stadium by ambulance and later underwent surgery.
© Maja Hitij – FIFAAt the time, there was concern about how long he could be sidelined. Proving his sheer dedication and resilience, two days after the operation, Luca shared an update from the hospital, assuring fans he was planning to return sooner rather than later.
© IG: @luca“The operation has gone very well. It was more of a scare than actual damage. I’ll be back on the field very soon. Thank you all for your messages of support,” he wrote.
He ended up keeping that promise. Within weeks, Luca had returned to action with Granada and was later called up to represent Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
© Chris Brunskill/FantasistaThe protective mask he wore against Argentina is helping protect the area that is still healing from another brutal impact.
While the injury occurred in April, doctors often recommend additional protection after facial fractures, especially for players competing in a contact sport.
Many soccer fans know Luca because of his father. He’s the second of four sons born to Zinedine Zidane and Véronique Fernández, with his siblings Enzo, 29, Théo, 24, and Elyaz, 20, also following in his famous cleats. But he has spent years carving out his own path and is the only goalkeeper among the siblings.
© IGL: @lucaBorn in Marseille, Luca was eligible to represent both France and Algeria. He ultimately chose Algeria, the country tied to his father’s family roots.
© Michael SteeleThe match itself was a difficult one for Algeria, which fell 3-0 to Argentina.
Lionel Messi made headlines with a hat trick, but Luca’s presence on the field was a story in itself.
Considering just weeks ago, he was recovering from emergency surgery. Seeing him on the field by mid-June, lining up at a World Cup, is an inspirational story for every athlete and fan.
Not a bad turnaround for someone who was posting recovery photos from a hospital bed at the end of April.
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