Luka Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, has earned a chance to play at the World Cup, with Algeria calling him into their squad.
The 28-year-old was Algeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the Africa Cup of Nations, but in April he broke his jaw and chin while playing for the Spanish club Granada. Having recovered, he has now made the World Cup squad.
Luka played for France up to the Under-20 level before choosing Algeria, as his grandparents are from there.
His father, Zinedine Zidane, won France the 1998 World Cup by scoring twice against Brazil in the home final. He also scored in the 2006 final, though he was sent off in that match.
Also returning to the squad is former Manchester City and Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez. The 35-year-old now plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has returned after seven months. Houssem Aouar and Amine Gouiri are also back; both missed this year’s Africa Cup of Nations through injury.
The 31-year-old Bentaleb has played for Lille in France for the past three seasons. He featured for Algeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil — Algeria’s most recent appearance at the tournament.
Algeria will play in Group J, facing reigning champions Argentina, Austria and Jordan.
Algeria’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil, Luka Zidane.
Defenders: Achraf Abada, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Zineddine Belaïd, Rafik Belghali, Ramy Bensebaini, Samir Chergui, Zaoui Hazam, Aïssa Mandi, Mohamed Amine Tougai.
Midfielders: Houssem Aouar, Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Farès Chaïbi, Ibrahim Maza, Yassine Titraoui, Ramiz Zerrouki.
Forwards: Mohamed Amine Amoura, Nadir Benbouali, Adil Boulbina, Farès Ghezzemis, Amine Gouiri, Riyad Mahrez, Anis Hadj Moussa.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report