Luca Zidane Faces Criticism After Messi Hat Trick at World Cup

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane endured a difficult World Cup debut as Lionel Messi scored a historic hat trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory in their Group J match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 17.

The match was expected to be a milestone for the 28-year-old goalkeeper, who made his first World Cup appearance after choosing to represent Algeria, the homeland of his father's family, in September 2025. Instead, the night ended with Argentina's captain reaching another career milestone while Luca found himself under intense scrutiny.

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the penalty area. Although Luca managed to get a hand to the ball, he could not prevent it from finding the net.

Argentina doubled their lead after Luca failed to fully deal with Alexis Mac Allister's shot, allowing Messi to pounce on the rebound and score his second goal of the match. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner completed his hat trick later with a trademark finish into the bottom corner.

As reported by Gebrak.Id, the three goals carried additional significance for Messi. The hat trick was his first in World Cup history and brought his tally in the tournament to 16 goals, equaling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record.

The defeat immediately placed Luca in the spotlight. Social media users resurfaced old training footage showing the goalkeeper appearing to avoid an incoming ball during a drill, while critics questioned his performance against the defending champions.

Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, working as a match analyst for Fox Sports, was among those critical of the Algerian goalkeeper.

"Luca Zidane played poorly and indirectly contributed to Argentina's three goals. In other circumstances, Messi might not have scored three goals," Ibrahimovic said. "A goalkeeper should have been able to stop at least one of those chances. He let Algeria down."

Despite the criticism, Luca's appearance at the World Cup represented a remarkable recovery from a serious injury suffered less than two months before the tournament.

Wearing Protective Face Mask

According to Hola, the goalkeeper took the field wearing a black protective face mask, prompting questions from fans unfamiliar with his recent medical ordeal.

The protective equipment was necessary after Luca sustained fractures to his jaw and chin during Granada's match against Almeria on April 27. The collision was severe enough to require ambulance transportation from the stadium and subsequent surgery.

At the time, concerns emerged about whether he would recover in time to play again during the season. However, just two days after undergoing surgery, Luca reassured supporters that he planned to return quickly.

"The operation has gone very well. It was more of a scare than actual damage. I'll be back on the field very soon. Thank you all for your messages of support," he wrote from his hospital bed.

Luca eventually returned to action for Granada within weeks before earning a place in Algeria's World Cup squad. Doctors recommended he continue wearing facial protection to safeguard the healing fractures from further impact.

The goalkeeper is the second of four sons born to former France and Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane and Veronique Fernandez. Unlike his brothers Enzo, Theo, and Elyaz, Luca established himself as a goalkeeper while pursuing his own professional career.

Born in Marseille, he was eligible to represent both France and Algeria internationally. He ultimately chose Algeria, embracing his family's Algerian roots ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

His famous father was present in the stands to witness the match against Argentina. What was supposed to be a proud family moment, however, turned into a difficult evening as Messi and Argentina proved too strong.

Although Algeria's campaign began with a disappointing defeat, Luca Zidane's return to elite competition after emergency surgery only weeks earlier remains one of the tournament's more remarkable personal stories. Yet with tougher challenges ahead, the goalkeeper now faces the task of recovering both physically and mentally as Algeria seek to revive their World Cup hopes.

Read: Who is Luca Zidane? Is He Related to Zinedine Zidane?

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