The stands of the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat witnessed the presence of former French star Zinedine Zidane at the Algeria vs. Sudan match, marking the start of the Algerian national team’s journey in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The crowd reacted strongly to Zidane’s appearance on the stadium’s giant screens, sparking a wave of applause and cheers, a scene that was the second of its kind after the early goal scored by Riyad Mahrez for Algeria.
Zidane, who attended to support his son Luca, the goalkeeper of the Algerian national team, tried to appear discreet, wearing black clothes and sunglasses, contenting himself with a shy wave to the fans.
Despite his attempt not to steal the spotlight from the players on the field, the crowd continued to chant “Zizou Zizou” every time Luca Zidane touched the ball.
Zidane was present in the stands with his sons to support his son, Luca Zidane, the goalkeeper of Algeria, who is participating in his first match with the Desert Foxes’ jersey in the Nations Cup after progressing through the youth and junior ranks of the French national team.
Luca: Algeria, a Choice of Heart and Family
In a previous statement, Luca Zidane explained the details of his decision to represent the Algerian national team, confirming that his father supported him from the beginning. He said: “Like any father, he was always by my side. He told me the decision was mine, and he could only offer advice, but the final choice was up to me.”
Luca added that his connection to Algeria stems from his family roots, referring to his grandfather, Ismail Zidane, Zinedine’s father, who hails from the Kabylie region. He said: “When I think of Algeria, I think directly of my grandfather. We have had Algerian culture in the family since childhood. When I told him about my decision, he was very happy and proud of me. Making him happy by representing the national team is very important to me, and the next jersey will be for him.”
This notable presence of Zinedine Zidane adds a special emotional dimension to the Algerian national team’s start in the continental tournament.
Luca Zidane (27 years old), the Granada goalkeeper, previously participated in Algeria’s match against Uganda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on October 14 last year, and before that, he was on the bench against Somalia.
Luca Zidane began his career at the Real Madrid academy, progressing through the club’s youth and junior teams, and only trained with the first team before moving between other Spanish clubs: Racing Santander, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, and finally Granada.
Moulay Hassan Stadium
Moulay Hassan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Rabat, Morocco, primarily used for football matches. It was inaugurated in 1983 and is named after Prince Moulay Hassan, who later became King Hassan II of Morocco. The stadium serves as the home ground for the ASFAR football club.
Rabat
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, founded in the 12th century by the Almohad Caliphate as a ribat (fortified monastery). It is now a modern political and administrative center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its blend of historic and contemporary elements, including the Hassan Tower and the well-preserved Kasbah of the Udayas.
Algeria
Algeria is a North African nation with a rich history shaped by indigenous Berber cultures, successive empires, and a pivotal modern struggle for independence from France, achieved in 1962. Its cultural landscape features diverse UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the well-preserved Roman ruins at Timgad and the historic Casbah of Algiers.
Sudan
Sudan, located in Northeast Africa, is home to ancient civilizations, most notably the Kingdom of Kush, which ruled from the city of Meroë and was a major rival to ancient Egypt. Its modern history was marked by a long civil war and the secession of South Sudan in 2011, leaving it with a rich but complex cultural and archaeological heritage.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to foster unity and showcase the continent’s football talent, with Egypt winning the inaugural tournament.
Desert Foxes
“Desert Foxes” typically refers to the nickname for German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps during World War II, known for their swift and cunning desert warfare tactics in North Africa. The term is historically associated with their military campaigns against Allied forces from 1941 to 1943.
Nations Cup
The Nations Cup is an international association football tournament contested by men’s national teams from African countries. It was first held in 1957 and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), serving as the continent’s primary football championship.
Kabylie
Kabylie is a mountainous cultural region in northern Algeria, historically inhabited by the Amazigh (Berber) people who have maintained a distinct language and identity for centuries. It has a long history of resistance to various external rulers, including during the French colonial period and in post-independence Algeria, where calls for greater cultural and political autonomy remain significant.
Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked East African nation known for its diverse landscapes, including the source of the Nile River and mountain gorilla habitats. Its history includes powerful pre-colonial kingdoms like Buganda, followed by British colonization until independence in 1962, and a subsequent period of political turmoil. Today, it is recognized for its rich cultural heritage and wildlife tourism.
World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is an international football tournament first held in 1930 in Uruguay. Organized by FIFA, it is contested every four years by the senior men’s national teams of its member associations and is the world’s most widely viewed sporting event.
Somalia
Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa, historically known for its ancient trading ports and as a center for commerce linking Africa with the Arab world. Its modern history has been marked by civil conflict following the collapse of its central government in 1991, though it possesses a rich cultural heritage rooted in Somali traditions, Islam, and a nomadic pastoralist lifestyle.
Granada
Granada is a historic city in southern Spain, most famous for the Alhambra, a sprawling palace and fortress complex that served as the seat of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim rulers in Spain during the Middle Ages. Following the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the city became a significant center of Renaissance art and architecture, blending its Islamic past with new Catholic influences.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, renowned for its record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with Spanish culture and 20th-century politics, having been designated as a “royal” club by King Alfonso XIII in 1920.
Racing Santander
Racing Santander is a Spanish professional football club based in Santander, Cantabria, founded in 1913. It is historically one of the main clubs in northern Spain and has spent over 40 seasons in La Liga, with its most successful period being in the early 1930s when it finished as league runner-up.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano is a professional football club based in the Vallecas district of Madrid, Spain, founded in 1924. Historically, it has been known as a community-focused club with strong left-wing political identity and a reputation for passionate support despite its modest achievements.
Eibar
Eibar is a town in the Basque Country of northern Spain, historically known for its metalworking and arms manufacturing since the Middle Ages. Its industrial heritage is central to its identity, most famously as the home of the Sociedad Deportiva Eibar football club.
