Chloe N’Gazi turns Zidane comparison into light-hearted response after Algeria’s historic AFCON run

Chloe N’Gazi avoided being drawn into a potentially awkward debate about Algeria men’s goalkeeper Luca Zidane after the women’s team returned home with a historic third-place finish at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The achievement marked the first time Algeria’s women had secured a podium place at the competition. On their return, members of the national team reflected on their campaign and looked ahead to the challenges that await them, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

N’Gazi was approached by a journalist in the mixed zone and told she was a better goalkeeper than Luca Zidane, who represents Algeria’s senior men’s side. The comparison referred to the 30-year-old’s performances and to the criticism aimed at Zidane after errors during the 2026 World Cup, staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Rather than accept the label, the FC Fleury 91 goalkeeper carefully sidestepped the question. She did, however, appear happy to be mentioned alongside the son of France and Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane.

“It’s pleasing to be compared with Zidane,” was the spirit of N’Gazi’s playful response, allowing her to acknowledge the compliment without becoming involved in a direct assessment of another international goalkeeper.

The moment was not the first time she had received that particular praise during Algeria’s celebrations. Earlier, a supporter in the stands had made the same comparison, prompting an emotional reaction from the goalkeeper.

A video showing that exchange was subsequently widely shared across the Algerian online community. The footage captured the significance of the occasion for N’Gazi, who was part of a team achieving a landmark result for Algeria’s women’s football.

The attention surrounding the goalkeeper comes as the players begin to look beyond their historic African Cup of Nations placing. Their next major objective is the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, which will provide the team with another opportunity to build on its progress.

For N’Gazi, the post-tournament spotlight has included both recognition for her contribution to Algeria’s campaign and questions linked to the men’s national team. Her response to the comparison with Luca Zidane ensured that the discussion remained light-hearted, while also underlining the growing visibility of the women’s side after its best-ever finish at the continental tournament.

Luca Zidane, the second son of Zinedine Zidane, is a new arrival at Leganes. His performances at the 2026 World Cup, and the mistakes attributed to him during the tournament, had left a bitter impression. N’Gazi’s refusal to accept the claim that she was superior avoided turning the exchange into a wider judgement on the Algeria goalkeeper.