The Algerian national team's goalkeeping troubles continue with a succession of injuries, as Luca Zidane joined the list of absentees after suffering a severe blow to the head during his team's match against Granada, which required his transfer to the hospital, at a time of increasing anxiety before the 2026 World Cup.

Published on: 04/27/2026 - 21:44

The curse of injuries haunts the Algerian national football team's goalkeepers. After it was confirmed that Anthony Mandria would be absent from the North American World Cup due to a dislocated shoulder and Melvin Mastell underwent surgery to treat a hernia, Luca Zidane suffered a severe head injury on Sunday.

Luca, the son of French football legend Zinedine, faced a nightmare on Sunday evening, as he conceded four goals during his team's Granada match against its guest Almeria (2-4) in the thirty-seventh round of the Spanish Second Division, before he was forced to leave the field in the last minute after receiving a blow to the head following an intervention to clear a cross from Brazilian striker Thales Henrique.

The match was stopped for about four minutes due to Luca suffering from slight dizziness and bleeding in the mouth, before he left Los Carmenes stadium amid the applause of the fans, leaving his place to his teammate, Ander Astrallaga.

Luca was transferred to the hospital to undergo the tests required by the protocol.

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Granada coach Bacheta said: “Luca Zidane was taken to the hospital after the blow he received, because he was feeling dizzy, and he will remain under observation and undergo the necessary tests.”

Zidane is still under observation in the hospital, according to what was reported by Spanish media, including the “Ideal” website.

Luca will know in the coming days whether he will be able to participate against Zaragoza next Friday.

Granada is nine points ahead of the first relegation places with five stages remaining until the end of the season.

Zidane's injury comes five days after Mastel, goalkeeper at the Swiss Stade Nyonnes (second division), underwent surgery to treat an inguinal hernia.

Luca is going through a difficult period after conceding eight goals in two matches, as Granada lost 4-0 to Albacete last week. A portion of the fans then pointed the finger of blame at the performance of Zinedine's son, but the Spanish newspaper AS sought to mitigate the criticism, considering that the goalkeeper was not responsible for the goals he received, and attributing this to a greater extent to the defensive fragility of the Granada team.

Controversy still exists over the goalkeeping position in the Algerian national team. Despite his generally acceptable performances, Luca still faces difficulty in gaining the consensus of the Algerian public, who continue to compare him to Rice M'Bolhi.

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The pressure doubles with every mistake or decline in level. Ironically, the 26-year-old goalkeeper had recently gained points with his remarkable brilliance in the friendly international match against Uruguay (0-0), as he showed great calm, especially when playing with his foot, an aspect appreciated by Bosnian-Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic.

Algerian media reported that Zidane's injury and forced exit will not affect his participation in the World Cup, but he must manage the remaining matches carefully to avoid any new blow, in light of the national team suffering from a real crisis at the goalkeeping level, following the absence of Mandria and the injury of Mastel.

A state of uncertainty surrounds Osama Ben Bout, who chose to retire from international football immediately after Algeria's exit from the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations, losing to Nigeria (0-2) in January in Morocco.

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Ben Bout (31 years old) opened the door to his retirement after his remarkable brilliance with his team, Ittihad Al-Capital, and leading it to the final round of the African Confederation Cup.

He said: "If the national team coach invites me, I will be present. I will never turn my back on national duty."

The Algerian media also touched on the possibility of resorting to the services of two other guards, also 31 years old, namely Farid Chaal (CS Belouizdad) and Ghaya Merbah (JS Kabylie).

Algeria will play in the World Cup in a strong tenth group alongside champion Argentina, whom it will meet at the start of its campaign on June 17, Jordan on the 23rd, and Austria on the 28th of the same month.

France 24/AFP

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