Luca Zidane Involved in Post-Match Brawl After Algeria’s AFCON Exit

Luca Zidane, son of football legend Zinedine Zidane, came under scrutiny after his involvement in a post-match altercation following Algeria’s 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final defeat to Nigeria on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Granada goalkeeper clashed with Nigeria midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru immediately after the final whistle. What began as a verbal exchange escalated into a shoving match, drawing in players and staff from both teams. Zidane also exchanged words with Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika before teammates intervened to separate the players.

The incident overshadowed Nigeria’s victory, secured through goals by Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, and their progression to the semi-finals against hosts Morocco. Algeria, dubbed the Desert Warriors, had entered the quarter-finals with a perfect group stage record, including wins over Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea, and a 1-0 victory against DR Congo in the round of 16.

Social media reaction was swift, with fans referencing Luca’s father, Zinedine Zidane, noting similarities in temperament. Nigerian journalist Tobi Adepoju wrote on X, “Like father, like son. It’s a Zidane family template,” while other users criticized the goalkeeper’s conduct as a disgrace.

Luca Zidane switched international allegiance to Algeria earlier this year after being previously eligible for France. He made his debut in October 2025 and was subsequently included in Algeria’s AFCON squad.

A Real Madrid academy product, Luca made two senior appearances for Madrid, winning the Champions League during the 2017–18 season under his father’s management, before leaving for Rayo Vallecano in 2020. He has since played in Spain’s second tier, including spells at Rayo, Eibar, and his current club, Granada, with 194 senior appearances in all competitions.

While Zidane has built a respectable career away from his father’s shadow, the Morocco AFCON incident will likely be a moment of reflection, as frustration overtook discipline in what was his first major tournament with Algeria.