Luca Zidane left out of Algeria squad due to lack of playing time at Leganés

Luca Zidane has not been included in Algeria’s squad for the next two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. Manager Brahim Hemdani announced his decision on Thursday, opting instead for Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil and Abdelatif Ramdane.

The reason is straightforward: playing time. “I needed to have a choice between three goalkeepers who had maximum playing time. The three selected players have had maximum playing time since the last gathering, and that’s the only reason I decided in favour of these three goalkeepers,” Hemdani said at a press conference.

The figures support the manager’s decision. Since Algeria’s friendly against Niger on 6 October, Luca Zidane has played only two matches with Leganés — against Almeria and Cordoue — totalling 180 minutes. His rivals have significantly better records: Melvin Mastil has accumulated 270 minutes with Lausanne-Sport, while Oussama Benbot and Abdelatif Ramdane have each completed four full matches with USM Alger and MC Alger respectively, totalling 360 minutes.

The goalkeeper’s situation deteriorated further following Luis Carrion’s arrival as Leganés manager on 18 October. According to newspaper AS, one of the new manager’s first decisions was to prefer Raul Fernandez in goal. Luca Zidane thus started the last two matches for his club — against Majorque and Valladolid — on the bench.

This demotion at club level comes at an already difficult time for Zinédine Zidane’s son. Suspended for two matches following incidents during Algeria’s match against Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, he had missed the previous Algeria gathering. His return to the national team, now eligible, will have to wait until his club situation improves.