Disappointing World Cup with Algeria, Luca Zidane under threat at Granada

Luca Zidane returns from a difficult 2026 World Cup and may well not reclaim his number-one spot at Granada when the season resumes. The Andalusian club, competing in Spain’s second division, has targeted Raul Lizoain to come and challenge Zinédine Zidane’s eldest son, according to La Gazette du Fennec.

With Algeria, Luca Zidane endured a tournament under intense pressure. Heavily criticized after the Fennecs’ first two matches — against Argentina and Jordan — he lost his starting position for the third group game against Austria. Reinstated in the Algeria goal for the round of 16 against Switzerland, he could not prevent a 2-0 defeat. His status with the national team is now uncertain, especially as Vladimir Petkovic is reportedly being pushed out as head coach of the Greens.

The situation is scarcely more reassuring at club level. Last season, Zidane was already competing with Ander Astralaga, on loan from FC Barcelona. With the latter returning to Catalonia, Granada chose to replace him with a more experienced profile rather than leave the field open to the Franco-Algerian goalkeeper.

Free since leaving Albacete, Raul Lizoain (35) is the preferred target for the club. Trained at Las Palmas, he notably played in La Liga, making him an experienced competitor for a starting place that Zidane will have to reclaim from the summer preparation onwards.

Luca Zidane will rejoin Algeria in September for the qualifiers to the next Coupe d’Afrique des Nations, with the ambition of regaining the confidence of the coaching staff — whatever it may be at that point.