Hednesford Town · Non League Div One - Play-offs · Midfielder · #0 · England · 33 yrs
Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane will be wearing a mask throughout his participation in the 2026 World Cup. Luca Zidane has solidified his status as the undisputed No. 1 for the Algeria national team over the last few years, playing a crucial role in anchoring the African side’s journey to the 2026 World Cup. However, tournament onlookers will quickly notice a unique piece of gear on the pitch, as the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane is required to wear a specialized protective face mask throughout the competition. The protective hardware is a direct response to a severe facial injury, deployed to safeguard a fragile recovery area from any further on-field trauma. While playing for Spanish club Granada back in late April, the 28-year-old goalkeeper endured a devastating aerial collision during a match against Almeria, resulting in a fractured jaw, a fractured chin, and a severe concussion. The injury sidelined Zidane for the remainder of Granada’s domestic campaign, putting his World Cup aspirations in serious jeopardy as the summer approached. Ultimately, Zidane and his medical team opt out of an immediate, season-ending surgery in order to keep his roster dreams alive, clearing the way for him to start for Algeria with the caveat of wearing the rigid mask. Speaking to reporters in the buildup to North America, the shot-stopper expressed relief regarding his dramatic race against time: “I’m doing well, I don’t have any pain anymore. The surgery went well and five weeks have passed now. I returned to training on the pitch two weeks ago and I’m very happy.” Wout Weghorst of Netherlands chases Goalkeeper, Luca Zidane of Algeria. How Luca Zidane bypassed France to represent Algeria While his iconic father paved the way for Luca to develop inside Real Madrid’s famed La Fabrica academy, leading to several appearances for France at the youth international levels, his senior career took a different path. Because he never made a competitive senior appearance for the French national team, the Marseille-born keeper remained eligible to test the waters of a dual-nationality switch. Holding triple citizenship, French by birth, Spanish through his mother, and Algerian through his paternal lineage, Zidane ultimately chose to honor his grandparents, who originally emigrated from Algeria to France. Harnessing those ancestral roots, he filed an official change-of-federation request with FIFA, receiving the formal green light in September 2025 to permanently defend the colors of Les Fennecs.
France kicked off their 2026 World Cup the right way with a 3-1 win against Senegal in East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. After an underwhelming first half, Les Bleus finally went through...
"If I wanted to silence all the critics, I have to play until I'm 80." Kylian Mbappé fires back after breaking France's all-time scoring record against Senegal. Kylian Mbappe used his post-match press conference at the New York/New Jersey Stadium to deliver a defiant message to his critics. Having just guided France to a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their 2026 World Cup opener, the newly crowned all-time top scorer for Les Bleus made it clear he is unfazed by outside noise. The French captain put on a clinic in the second half, scoring a vital brace to rewrite his country’s history books. Yet, it was his post-match comments regarding his public perception that stole the headlines after the final whistle. When asked by reporters if his record-breaking performance was a statement to silence those who have questioned his recent club form or leadership, Mbappe dismissed the notion entirely. “I’m not playing for revenge,” Mbappe stated cleanly. “If I wanted to silence all the critics, I have to play until I’m 80 years old.” The forward emphasized that trying to satisfy every media pundit or fan opinion is an impossible task. Instead, he reinforced that his primary source of motivation comes from the honor of representing his nation on the absolute highest platform. “I’m only focused on doing my best for my country,” he added, aiming to put any lingering media narratives to rest. “That’s it. Full focus on that.” Outlasting legends in the record books After a sluggish, scoreless opening 45 minutes from France, Mbappe unlocked the stubborn Senegalese defense in the 66th minute by converting a sharp through ball from Michael Olise. While Bradley Barcola added insurance and Senegal pulled one back through Ibrahim Mbaye, Mbappe saved his finest moment for last. In the 97th minute of stoppage time, he unleashed a blistering 30-yard strike past Édouard Mendy to seal the 3-1 scoreline. The stunning final goal was his 58th for France, officially moving him past Olivier Giroud to become the standalone leading goalscorer in French international soccer history. The brace also elevated him past Just Fontaine as France’s highest-ever scorer in World Cups with 14 goals, putting him just two shy of Miroslav Klose’s absolute tournament record of 16. “Congrats, Kylian, you made it. I’m really happy for him,” Giroud told the BBC. “He deserves it.” France will look to build on their winning start when they face Iraq in their second Group I match on June 22.
France have kicked off their 2026 World Cup run with a 3-1 win against Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Tuesday. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring at the hour mark to go level with Olivier Gi...
Favourites France overcame a wobbly start to defeat Group I rivals Senegal 3-1 in their World Cup opener on Tuesday, with captain Kylian Mbappé scoring twice to overtake Olivier Giroud as Les Bleus' all-time top scorer and move within two goals of Miroslav Klose's World Cup record. FRANCE 24's Selina Sykes reports from the MetLife stadium in New Jersey. FRANCE 24's Antonia Kerrigan reports from Paris where French and Senegalese supporters were gathering in the French capital's fan zones.
