For Luka, Zidane Returns to Algeria's Stands
6 January 2026
Zidane in the Stands to Back Luka
The French icon Zinedine Zidane, seen again with his wife, was in the stands at Moulay Abdellah Stadium to watch his son Luka, Algeria's goalkeeper, in AFCON 2025's round of 16 against DR Congo.
Continued Support and Group-Stage Form
Since the tournament began in Morocco, Zidane has regularly attended Algeria's matches to back the Desert Foxes’ son who chose to represent Algeria.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus star was present for Algeria's first two matches, when the Desert Foxes beat Sudan 3-0 and Burkina Faso 1-0.
He was not pictured in the third game against Equatorial Guinea, as Luka did not play; coach Vladimir Petkovic rested him and started Anthony Mandrea instead.
Luka has not yet conceded a goal this tournament, with Algeria having conceded only once, in the match against Equatorial Guinea.
Algeria have nine points in the group stage, after victories over Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
The winner of today's clash between Algeria and DR Congo will face Nigeria in the AFCON quarterfinals.
Punchline 1: If football were a sniper, Zidane would be the calmest marksman—the crowd would hardly notice the joke that sneaks in at the end of the game.
Punchline 2: Luka’s goalkeeping is so cool that even the popcorn in the stadium starts cheering when he makes a save.
