The legendary name of French football is again talking about him in an unexpected context with the Greens.
The name sounds like a thunderclap in Algerian football. Zidane made his choice: he will wear the Fennecs jersey. A decision that surprises and questions, as this surname immediately evokes the 1998 Golden Ball, legend of French football and eternal symbol of the Blues.
While persistent rumors regularly mentioned him as future coach of the French teamnow a Zidane finally chooses Algeria, a country of family origins.
Zidane and Algeria: history begins with Rayan
But, it's not about Zinedine, but Rayan Zidane.
It is a young talent of 17 years which has just joined the Algerian selection of the U17. The son of a person in particular, just a homonym of the Maestro Madrid, was summoned by Amine Ghimouz for an internship at the start of the season. Rayan, who recently signed his first professional contract with Bayer Leverkusen, is one of the 10 players playing in Europe retained for this preparation.
Bearing the name of Zidane will not be a sinecure for this young winger. The pressure will be enormous, the comparisons inevitable. Each gesture, each control will be scrutinized in terms of the inheritance of the triple Ballon d'Or. At 17, it is difficult to imagine that he can already bear such a weight. The Algerian staff will have to protect him and temper expectations, even if his potential seems real to the point of having convinced German leaders.
A consolation batch?
This arrival could console the Algerian supporters,
Still marked by the choices of Akliouche and Cherki. These two nuggets, long courted by the Algerian federation, finally opted for the French team of Didier Deschamps. A camouflet for the Greens, who regularly see their priority targets escape them for the benefit of the Blues. Rayan Zidane will not compensate for these departures, but his name is dreaming.
Ironically, another Zidane had fantasized the Fennecs: Luca, goalkeeper's son of Zinedine, announced selectable for Algeria. But this track has died on itself. There remains this young Rayan, who will have to build his own legend without the shadow of Marseille genius. A major challenge for a kid who already brings the weight of a legendary name.
