Selain faktor budaya, hubungan emosional dengan sang kakek menjadi salah satu dorongan utama bagi Luca untuk memantapkan pilihan membela tanah leluhurnya.

"When I think of Algeria, I remember my grandfather.

Since childhood, we’ve had this Algerian culture in the family," ujar Luca Zidane, dilansir dari BeIN Sports France.

"I spoke to him before playing for the national team, and he was extremely happy about this step.

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Every time I receive an international call-up, he calls me and says that I made a great decision and that he is proud of me."

Menjelang turnamen akbar ini, Luca harus mengenakan topeng pelindung khusus akibat cedera patah tulang dagu dan rahang yang dideritanya saat membela Granada pada akhir April lalu.

Setelah menjalani operasi dan absen selama satu bulan, ia berhasil mencatat hasil tanpa kebobolan dan membuat enam penyelamatan saat Aljazair menang 1-0 atas Belanda dalam laga uji coba tanggal 3 Juni.

Menghadapi barisan penyerang top dunia termasuk Lionel Messi, Luca menegaskan kesiapan mental dan fisik seluruh anggota timnya untuk memberikan perlawanan sengit.

"We play football to compete against the best. Tomorrow (Tuesday), we'll be playing against the world's elite.

I'm happy to be here, to be playing in this World Cup, and to represent my country.

It will be a great match," tutur Luca Zidane, dalam sesi latihan terakhir tim.

Cedera parah yang sempat mengancam partisipasinya kini dipastikan sudah pulih total, dan fokus tim beralih pada strategi pertahanan yang solid untuk meredam agresivitas lawan.

"We're ready physically and mentally, that's the most important thing. We're really looking forward to this match.

My injury was tough, but it's behind me now. We know that keeping a clean sheet is already a big step in a match.

We'll try to be solid defensively and, with our attacking qualities, we can cause them problems," tambahnya.

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Setelah menyelesaikan pertandingan melawan Argentina, Aljazair dijadwalkan menghadapi Yordania dan Austria dalam laga lanjutan penyisihan Grup J.