Luca Zidane has described his experience at the 2026 World Cup with Algeria as a memorable chapter in his career, while revealing the story behind the “Fernandez” nickname he was given as a child.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper represented Algeria at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, playing against Argentina, Jordan and Austria.
Zidane conceded seven goals during those matches and faced criticism from some Algeria supporters, but he has described his overall World Cup experience as one he will remember fondly.
Speaking to the El Larguero programme on Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Zidane said the tournament represented the biggest stage available to a professional footballer.
“It was a very wonderful experience. The World Cup is the biggest event that a football player can participate in.”
The goalkeeper, who has recently joined Leganes, also admitted that Algeria had hoped to progress further in the competition.
The Desert Warriors were eventually eliminated by Switzerland, bringing their campaign to an end.
“We hoped to go further, but Switzerland eliminated us, and things didn’t go the way we wanted. I will cherish the memory of the World Cup experience.”
One of the most significant moments of Zidane’s tournament came when Algeria faced Argentina, giving him the opportunity to play against Lionel Messi.
The goalkeeper acknowledged the difficulty of facing Argentina with Messi in their line-up and said the occasion presented a major challenge.
“Facing Argentina led by Messi? It was a very difficult match. When you face one of the best players in the history of football, it is complicated.”
The interview also gave Zidane an opportunity to discuss an unusual part of his childhood.
Despite being the son of French football great Zinedine Zidane, Luca was known as “Fernandez” at school.
He explained that the name was connected to his mother’s surname and was used by his parents to provide the family with some privacy while he was growing up.
“I was nicknamed Fernandez to protect me when I was young. My parents used my mother’s surname (Veronique Fernandez) to protect us a little. But nowadays, information spreads very quickly, and in the end everyone knows that we are the sons of Zinedine Zidane.”
The goalkeeper also addressed the inevitable attention surrounding his relationship with his father.
Zinedine Zidane is one of football’s most recognisable figures, both because of his playing career and his work as a coach, and Luca has frequently been asked about the influence of his father.
However, Luca said he does not find such questions frustrating.
“Do I get annoyed when I am asked about my father? No, not at all. It is normal for you to ask me about my father, given his career and his influence on football. On the contrary.”
He also stressed that his mother’s contribution to his development, and that of his siblings, should not be overlooked.
While Zinedine Zidane’s achievements have inevitably attracted attention, Luca said his mother played an important role in the family’s upbringing.
“It is true that there are fewer questions about my mother and brothers, even though they have a major role in the journey I have reached. My mother was always by our side, she was the one who was at home and took care of raising us, and she followed up on us and made sure we did our schoolwork. All the values we have today we also owe to my mother.”
Zidane’s comments provide an insight into his life away from the pitch, where his famous surname has inevitably followed him throughout his career.
His international career with Algeria has also continued to develop.
Following his participation at the 2026 World Cup, Zidane’s total number of appearances for the national team has risen to 10.
Across those matches, he has conceded nine goals and recorded five clean sheets.
The World Cup therefore represented another important stage in his development as an international goalkeeper, despite Algeria’s elimination before the latter stages of the tournament.
Zidane’s move to Leganes now gives him a new club challenge following his experience in the World Cup.
But the memories of Algeria’s campaign, particularly the opportunity to face Messi and compete at football’s biggest tournament, remain significant for the goalkeeper.
And while criticism followed some of his performances, Zidane’s own assessment of the tournament is positive.
For him, the World Cup was both a sporting challenge and a personal milestone – one he says he will carry with him throughout his career.
