In a moment that blended footballing royalty with international pride, fans across the globe erupted on social media Wednesday after a photo circulated showing legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane watching from the stands at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The object of his intense gaze was not a former teammate, but his 27-year-old son, goalkeeper Luca Zidane, who was making his competitive debut for the Algerian national team.
The image, shared widely online with the caption "Zinedine Zidane in the house to watch his son Luca make his AFCON debut for Algeria," captured a father’s quiet support, sparking a wave of emotional and nostalgic reactions.
The debut was an important personal and sporting milestone. Luca Zidane, who represented his native France at various youth international levels, formally opted to switch his allegiance to Algeria in 2025, a decision made possible through his Algerian descent via his famous father.
The choice added a poignant layer to the Zidane family legacy, connecting it directly to the nation of his father’s heritage. On the pitch, the younger Zidane justified the selection, recording a clean sheet as Algeria secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Sudan in their group stage opener.
Fan reactions to the poignant scene were swift and heartfelt. Many focused on the powerful symbolism. "Zidane watching his son play for Algeria… football is beautiful," wrote one user, capturing a prevailing sentiment of the sport’s unique capacity to weave together family and national identity. Others were struck by the visual echo of greatness. "The look in Zizou’s eyes… that’s the look of a proud father and a football legend seeing his legacy continue," another comment read.
Here are some screenshots of reactions from football fans and social media users:
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