My dad is a football legend and Ballon d’Or winner – but I had to leave Real Madrid to make my own way in the sport
LUCA ZIDANE left Real Madrid to make his own way in football and step out of his father’s shadow.
The son of French World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane was handed his La Liga debut by his dad in 2018.
However, he would make just one more appearance for Los Blancos, which also came during his father’s time as manager.
An under-17 Euros winner with France in 2015, Zidane progressed through Real Madrid’s academy having joined the club as a child.
Meanwhile, his dad had starred for the Spanish giants as a player, winning both the Champions League and La Liga before returning as manager.
Across two spells in the dugout, he won two more league titles and three consecutive Champions League on route to lifting 11 major trophies.
Prior to arriving in Spain, the midfielder had also won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 off the back of winning the World Cup with France and Serie A at Juventus.
He was crowned ahead of fellow World Cup stars Davor Suker and Ronaldo.
For Luca, though, he would leave the Santiago Bernabeu in 2020 to join Rayo Vallecano, before later moving to Eibar last summer.
He spoke to Relevo about the impact of his dad’s reputation on his career back in April.
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“In the world of football I want them to see me as Luca,” the 25-year-old explained.
“Let them judge the matches I’ve played so far. They don’t think more than that and don’t compare me.
“There are people who talk about me and don’t know me. It hurts. They say what they think and many times it’s prejudiced. They don’t know who I am.
“It’s difficult to hear things from people who have seen you play one or two games and don’t really know the person or the footballer you are.”
As for the pressure of his name, he told Sportstar in June: “I do not have much pressure to be the son of Zidane because I’ve had that all my life. So, I’m used to it.
“I have my own career – one that I’m trying to carve out for myself. And my and my father’s careers are two different things.”
Since joining Eibar, Luca has kept 16 clean sheets in 46 matches for the club.
After missing out on promotion to La Liga via the play-offs last season, Eibar are currently second in the table this term, with their French keeper playing every minute of the campaign so far.