Theo Zidane says he endured seven months of pain while trying to remain available for Cordoba, with a back problem eventually requiring surgery and preventing him from performing at his best.
The 24-year-old midfielder, son of France great Zinedine Zidane, has spoken openly about the most difficult period of his professional career in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca.
Zidane’s comments came as his family again attracted attention in Spanish football. His younger brother Luca Zidane, the 28-year-old goalkeeper, is close to completing a move to Leganes.
From promising start to persistent pain
Theo enjoyed a strong first season with Cordoba, establishing himself as a regular starter and producing good performances while remaining free of injury.
“In my first year I started many matches, I was in good physical condition, I did not suffer injuries and I performed well,” he said.
However, his situation changed in March 2025 when he began experiencing severe back pain. Despite the problem, he continued to play, and his condition deteriorated during the following season after he suffered a herniated disc.
The midfielder said he and Cordoba’s medical staff tried several ways to keep him on the pitch. He played a number of matches after receiving pain-relieving injections before it became clear that surgery was the most appropriate course of action.
“I tried everything with the doctors and played many matches after receiving injections, but it was better to have the operation, recover my previous physical condition and try to return to the level I showed during the first months,” he said.
Zidane added that the extent of his injury was not always understood by people at the club because he continued to insist on being available to help the team.
“Even inside the club, some people did not know the extent of the problem because I always wanted to be present,” he said.
Seven months of suffering
The player believes his ability to tolerate pain contributed to the delay in deciding to undergo surgery. Eventually, however, he reached a point where continuing was no longer possible, with a specialist telling him that an operation was necessary after discovering the hernia.
“I endured seven months of suffering because I never like making excuses, and perhaps I should have made the decision earlier, but I wanted to help the team,” he said.
The period tested Zidane physically and mentally. He says the experience has left him more determined to demonstrate what he can do now that he is able to train and compete without pain.
His focus is on making the next stage of his career a fresh beginning. Zidane is delighted to have regained his fitness and wants to produce performances better than those during his first season with Cordoba.
“I am very eager to prove myself because I am convinced that I can perform better than I did in my first year. I am happy that I can now train without pain and give everything I have in matches,” he said.
