Luca Zidane, son of football legend Zinedine Zidane, has found himself under heavy criticism after being involved in a post-match altercation following Algeria’s 2–0 loss to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Granada goalkeeper was at the centre of the heated scenes that erupted after the final whistle, clashing with Nigeria midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as tempers flared following Algeria’s exit from the tournament.
The confrontation reportedly began as a verbal dispute before escalating into pushing, drawing players and officials from both sides into the fracas. Luca Zidane was seen confronting Dele-Bashiru before Nigerian players stepped in to restrain their teammate. He also exchanged words with Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika as tensions threatened to boil over.
The incident overshadowed a disappointing outing for the Desert Warriors, as Nigeria secured a place in the semi-finals through goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams and will now face host nation Morocco.
Algeria had arrived at the quarter-final full of confidence after an impressive group-stage run, defeating Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea, before edging DR Congo 1–0 in the round of 16. However, they were outplayed by a disciplined Nigerian side that neutralised their attacking threats and controlled the match.
Social media reactions were swift, with many fans expressing disbelief at the scenes that followed the game. Some users drew comparisons with Luca’s father, referencing Zinedine Zidane’s own infamous on-field moments, while others criticised the goalkeeper’s conduct, describing it as unacceptable and driven by frustration.
Luca Zidane switched his international allegiance earlier this year, choosing to represent Algeria despite being eligible for France. He made his senior debut in October 2025 and was later named in Algeria’s AFCON squad.
A graduate of Real Madrid’s academy, Zidane was part of the squad that won the UEFA Champions League in the 2017–18 season under his father’s management, though he made just two senior appearances before leaving the club permanently in 2020. He has since established himself in Spanish football, featuring for Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, and now Granada, with nearly 200 senior appearances across competitions.
While Luca Zidane has carved out a respectable career independent of his father’s legacy, the post-match scenes in Morocco are likely to be a defining and sobering moment, marking a controvers
