Former Algerian national team defender, Noureddine Qureshi, has offered his analysis of the challenges facing goalkeeper Luca Zidane with the Algerian national team, Les Fennecs. Qureshi, who also served as a technical staff member during Vahid Halilhodžić’s tenure, believes the issue isn’t solely about Zidane’s abilities, but rather the timing of his arrival within coach Vladimir Petković’s squad.
Qureshi suggests that Zidane’s late integration has deprived the coaching staff of sufficient time to properly evaluate him in a competitive international context. He emphasized that a more timely decision to represent Algeria would have allowed the technical team to assess his true level through official matches, rather than relying on limited observations.
Speaking to the French publication L’Equipe, Qureshi explained that this delay has impacted Zidane’s integration within the team and the level of trust that can be built around him. He highlighted the ongoing search for a suitable replacement for veteran goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi, who has stepped away from international football.
Despite these observations, Qureshi expressed his hope that Luca Zidane could be a viable solution to Algeria’s goalkeeping concerns, particularly as the position, along with the central defense, remains a weak point requiring urgent attention before upcoming continental competitions.
Qureshi concluded by stressing that the door remains open for the son of the French legend, provided he demonstrates his capabilities on the field and proves he can make a significant contribution. According to Qureshi, competition is not determined by name or background, but by what a player actually delivers when given the opportunity.
To date, Luca Zidane has only played one match for Algeria, during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He missed the recent training camp in Saudi Arabia due to injury. With questions surrounding the physical readiness of some goalkeepers, Zidane has a clear path to aggressively compete for the starting position during the upcoming finals. The opportunity is there, and the decision will be made on the pitch.
