Granada goalkeeper Luca Zidane is facing an anxious wait over his place in Algeria’s World Cup squad after suffering a fractured jaw and chin in Sunday’s Spanish second division match against Almeria.
The 27-year-old was involved in a collision with opposing striker Thalys during the game, which forced him off the pitch after sustaining a concussion. Further medical tests then revealed the full extent of the damage — fractures to both his jaw and chin, making the situation considerably more serious than it first appeared.
Granada confirmed the injury in an official club statement, noting that Zidane would sit down with the club’s medical staff in the coming hours to decide on the best course of treatment. If surgery is required, the recovery period could stretch well beyond the end of the current season, placing his participation in the summer tournament in real jeopardy.
What the Injury Means for His Season
Luca Zidane is already expected to miss the remainder of the Spanish second division campaign. Granada did not put a specific timeline on his return, but injuries of this nature — particularly those requiring surgical intervention — typically demand a recovery period of several weeks to a few months.
The coming days will be critical. The decision on whether he undergoes surgery will largely determine how quickly he can return to training and match fitness. At this stage, the club has not confirmed whether an operation is necessary, but the phrasing of their statement suggests it remains a strong possibility.
Algeria’s World Cup Opener Looms Large
For Zidane, the timing is awful. Algeria are due to kick off their World Cup campaign on June 16 in Kansas City against defending champions Argentina in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting group stage matches.
That leaves him just shy of seven weeks to recover, undergo fitness tests, and convince Algeria’s coaches that he is fit to play at the elite level. Given the injury and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery plan, that’s a tall order in a short space of time.
Algeria will now be keeping a close eye on developments as they prepare their squad. If Zidane is ruled out, the nation will have to consider other goalkeeping alternatives in the lead-up to what is set to be a tough opening game against the defending champions.
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A Career Built Across Two Nations
Luca Zidane is the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Despite representing France at youth level, Luca chose to commit internationally to Algeria — the country of his paternal grandparents — a decision formalised last year.
He has since established himself as part of the Algerian setup, starting four of the team’s five matches at the Africa Cup of Nations and playing the full 90 minutes of last month’s friendly draw against Uruguay. His form and experience had made him a credible option between the posts for the national side heading into the World Cup.
Now, the focus shifts entirely to his recovery. Zidane and his medical team face a race against time, and the coming days will go a long way in determining whether he boards the plane to the United States this summer.
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