Overview
- Luca Zidane started in goal for Algeria in the World Cup match against Argentina and conceded three goals to Lionel Messi in a 3-0 defeat.
- He played wearing a protective mask that reports say was required by a medical board after he fractured his jaw and chin and underwent surgery in April while playing for Granada.
- FIFA approved Zidane’s switch of sporting nationality to Algeria in September 2025, and he earned his first senior cap for Algeria in October 2025 before appearing at the 2026 tournament.
- By featuring at the World Cup he joined his father Zinedine Zidane as one of the father–son pairs to appear at finals and became only the second son to play for a different nation than his World Cup‑playing father.
- The match generated heavy media and social‑media attention focused on the mask, his recovery and a viral clip of Zinedine Zidane watching in the stands, which may increase scrutiny of player safety protocols and medical clearances for return from facial injuries.