Zinedine Zidane is watching this World Cup from both sides of the fence — and he wouldn't have it any other way. The 54-year-old, who celebrated his birthday this Tuesday, has crossed the Atlantic with his family to follow the tournament in person, cheering for France while simultaneously doubling as Algeria's most famous supporter. The reason? His son Luca is in goal for the Desert Foxes.
It's a genuinely strange and charming position for a man who won the whole thing as a player. Zidane has been out of professional football since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, and this World Cup appears to be his calm before the next storm.
The family in the stands
Véronique Fernández Ramírez, his wife of over 30 years and the daughter of Spanish emigrants from Almería, has been at his side throughout — from his playing days in Bordeaux to the Bernabéu dugout. She once said plainly: "If fame had ever gone to his head, I would have left a long time ago." There's a directness there that probably explains a lot about how grounded Zidane has stayed.
All four of their sons played football professionally. Enzo, the eldest at 31, has already retired and is raising three daughters with his wife. Theo, 24, plays midfield for Córdoba CF. The youngest, Elyaz, 20, is at Real Betis' reserve side. And then there's Luca, 28, the Granada goalkeeper who is currently the most watched Zidane on the planet.
Algeria lost their opener to Argentina but bounced back with a 2-1 win over Jordan — a result that kept their knockout stage hopes alive and gave Zidane senior something genuine to celebrate before his own birthday arrived.
The next chapter is already written
France, meanwhile, opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal and face Iraq next at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. A second straight win books their place in the last 16. With Mbappé leading the line, their odds of going deep look solid — and the man expected to inherit this squad is watching from the stands.
Didier Deschamps has confirmed he steps down after the tournament concludes. According to ESPN, L'Équipe, and multiple French outlets, Zidane has already reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation to take over. No announcement, no press conference — but this has been the worst-kept secret in French football for years.
Five years on the sidelines. Three granddaughters. A son playing at a World Cup. And a national team job effectively waiting in his name. Zidane's 54th birthday has a lot going on.
