Overview
- Luca Zidane was Algeria’s starting goalkeeper in the World Cup opener against Argentina on Wednesday and wore a large mask covering his forehead, cheeks and chin.
- He is using the mask to protect multiple fractures to his jaw and chin and to guard a concussion he suffered while playing for Granada in April.
- Coaches cleared him to return to international play after he featured in early-June friendlies, a return that led to his selection as Algeria’s starter for the tournament.
- Algeria lost 3-0 to Argentina and postmatch coverage highlighted several goalkeeping mistakes that contributed to the scoreline.
- The mask drew visual comparisons to protective gear used by other players and shifted media focus toward his recovery and his profile as Zinedine Zidane’s son, increasing scrutiny of the selection and his form going forward.