Enzo Alan Zidane Fernández (born 24 March 1995), known simply as Enzo, is a French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Enzo Zidane
Personal information
Full name Enzo Alan Zidane Fernández
Date of birth (1995-03-24) 24 March 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Bordeaux, France
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2000 Juventus
2000–2001 Liceo Francés
2001–2004 San José
2004–2014 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Real Madrid C 26 (4)
2014–2017 Real Madrid B 78 (7)
2016–2017 Real Madrid 1 (0)
2017 Alavés 2 (0)
2017–2019 Lausanne-Sport 16 (2)
2018–2019Rayo Majadahonda (loan) 33 (0)
2019 Aves 11 (2)
2020 Almería 3 (0)
2021–2022 Rodez 15 (0)
2021–2022 Rodez B 3 (0)
2022–2023 Fuenlabrada 28 (1)
Total 215 (16)
International career
2009 Spain U15 1 (0)
2014 France U19 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 May 2023

Zidane is a youth product of Real Madrid, where he scored on his only first-team appearance in the Copa del Rey in 2016. In 2017, Zidane signed for La Liga club Alavés, where he would make four appearances before signing for Swiss Super League club Lausanne-Sport. After a season, he joined Segunda División side Rayo Majadahonda on loan. In 2019, Zidane signed for Primeira Liga club Aves, a year before returning to the Segunda División with Almería. In 2021, he returned to his birth country of France by signing for Ligue 2 club Rodez, where he would play a season before joining Fuenlabrada in the Primera Federación in Spain.

Zidane is former youth international of both Spain and France, having played for the Spain under-15s in 2009 and the France under-19s in 2014. He is the eldest son of former footballer Zinedine Zidane and Véronique Fernández. He attained Spanish citizenship in 2006.

Club career

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Real Madrid

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From 2004, Zidane played for the youth academy of Real Madrid. On 6 September 2011, he was invited by José Mourinho to train with the club's first team.[1][2]

On 5 August 2013, Zidane was promoted to the Juvenil 'A' team.[3]

On 16 November 2014, Zidane made his debut for Real Madrid Castilla, the B-team, as a substitute in a 2–1 win over Conquense in Segunda División B.[4]

On 12 August 2015, Zidane was named one of the vice-captains of Castilla.[5] He scored his first senior goal ten days later in the first game of the 2015–16 season, a 5–1 home routing of Ebro.[6]

On 29 October, Zidane was promoted to train regularly with the first team.[7] He made his senior debut for the club on 30 November 2016, coming off the bench for Isco in a Copa del Rey clash with Cultural Leonesa and scoring from the edge of the penalty area in a 6–1 home win (13–2 aggregate).[8]

Alavés

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On 29 June 2017, Alavés announced their signing of Zidane from Real Madrid on a 3-year contract for an undisclosed fee, with a buyback clause.[9] He made his La Liga debut on 26 August, coming on as a late substitute for Mubarak Wakaso in a 0–2 home loss against Barcelona.[10]

Lausanne-Sport

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On 1 January 2018, Zidane signed for Lausanne-Sport of the Swiss Super League on a three-year deal after terminating his contract at Alavés.[11] He was the first signing by the club after their takeover by British petrochemical corporation Ineos that November.[12] He made his debut on 3 February as the season resumed after the winter break, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Andrea Maccoppi in a 2–1 loss at Luzern.[13] Fifteen days later he scored his first goal for the team, consolation in a 3–1 loss at Sion.[14] He scored once more that season, opening a 2–1 win over Lugano at the Stade olympique de la Pontaise on 2 April.[15]

On 14 July 2018, Zidane returned to Spain after agreeing to a one-year loan deal with Rayo Majadahonda in the second division.[16] He made his debut on 19 August in the season opener away to Real Zaragoza, received a yellow card and was substituted at half time for Toni Martínez in a 2–1 defeat.[17]

Aves

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On 15 July 2019, Zidane joined Portuguese side Aves as a free agent, having previously been in negotiations with nearby Vitória de Guimarães.[18] On his second substitute appearance on 23 August, he scored his first Primeira Liga goal, consolation in a 5–1 loss at Rio Ave.[19]

Almería

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In the last minutes of the January 2020 transfer window, Zidane agreed to a move to Almería, returning to Spain and its second division.[20] He was released on 2 October having played only four times, once in a playoff; the team were managed by his father's long-time teammate Guti.[21]

In September 2020, reports emerged that Zidane would join Moroccan club Wydad CA,[22] citing Roberto Carlos, a Brazilian former teammate of his father who was claimed to be his agent.[23] However, French journalist Frédéric Hermel [fr] assured that the reports were false.[24]

Later career and retirement

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On 9 June 2021, Zidane signed for Ligue 2 club Rodez.[25] On 18 July 2022, Zidane joined Fuenlabrada in the Primera Federación on a one-year contract.[26] He played 29 times in all competitions and scored once, the only goal at San Sebastián de los Reyes on 11 December.[27]

In September 2024, Zidane announced his retirement from professional football, at age 29. According to Enzo himself, he wants to focus on family matters and his own investments.[28]

International career

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Zidane was eligible to play for France or Spain,[29][30] as well as Algeria, through his paternal grandparents.[31][32] In 2010, Zinedine Zidane stated that he was relaxed about whether his son chooses to play for Spain or France at senior international level.[33][34][35] Enzo made one appearance for the Spain national under-15 football team in 2009.[36] He switched to the French Football Federation, and made two appearances for the France national under-19 football team in 2014.[37]

Personal life

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Enzo is the oldest son of Zinedine Zidane and Véronique Fernández and was previously known as Enzo Fernández.[38] He is named after former Uruguayan star Enzo Francescoli, who was his father's football idol.[39][40]

Enzo has three younger brothers: Luca plays for Eibar, while Théo and Elyaz play in the Real Madrid Castilla and Real Madrid youth academy respectively.[41][42][43] He is married to Karen Gonçalves; together, they have three daughters: Sia (born 2022) and twins Giulia and Kaia (born 2024).[44]

Club statistics

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As of match played 20 May 2023[45]
Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Real Madrid B 2014–15 Segunda División B 8 0 8 0
2015–16 Segunda División B 38 2 38 2
2016–17 Segunda División B 32 5 32 5
Total 78 7 78 7
Real Madrid 2016–17 La Liga 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
Alavés 2017–18 La Liga 2 0 2 0 4 0
Lausanne-Sport 2017–18 Swiss Super League 16 2 0 0 16 2
Rayo Majadahonda (loan) 2018–19 Segunda División 33 0 1 0 34 0
Aves 2019–20 Primeira Liga 10 2 0 0 0 0 10 2
Almería 2019–20 Segunda División 4 0 0 0 4 0
Rodez 2021–22 Ligue 2 15 0 1 0 16 0
Rodez B 2021–22 Championnat National 3 3 0 3 0
Fuenlabrada 2022–23 Primera Federación 28 1 1 0 29 1
Career total 189 12 6 1 0 0 195 13

References

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  1. ^ "Enzo Zidane to trains with Real first team". ESPN Soccernet. 7 September 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Mourinho allows son of Zidane into first team training". Sport (in Spanish). 6 September 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  3. ^ "Enzo Zidane steps up to the Real Madrid 'C' team". Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Zinedine Zidane's son Enzo, 19, makes Real Madrid B debut". BBC Sport. 16 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Enzo Zidane straps on armband and sets up Castilla winner". Marca. 13 August 2015. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  6. ^ Escudero, Simón (22 August 2015). "Una manita para empezar en el estreno liguero del Castilla" [A spanking to start Castilla's league campaign]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Enzo Zidane s'entraîne désormais régulièrement avec les pros du Real Madrid" [Enzo Zidane now trains regularly with Real Madrid's pros]. L'Équipe (in French). 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Zinedine Zidane's son Enzo scores on Real Madrid debut in Copa del Rey". The Guardian. 30 November 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  9. ^ "El Deportivo Alavés ficha a Enzo Zidane por 3 temporadas" [Deportivo Alavés signs Enzo Zidane for 3 seasons]. DeportivoAlavés.com (in Spanish). 29 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Detalles de Enzo Zidane en su debut en LaLiga contra el Barça" [Details of Enzo Zidane in his debut in LaLiga against Barça]. Marca (in Spanish). 26 August 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  11. ^ "Enzo Zidane deja el Alavés y se va al Lausanne". Mundo Deportivo. 30 December 2017. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  12. ^ "Enzo Zidane leaves Alaves for Lausanne revolution". FourFourTwo. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Super League: le Lausanne-Sport trébuche sur la pelouse de Lucerne" [Super League: Lausanne-Sport slip up on Luzern's turf] (in French). RTS. 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Suisse : Enzo Zidane a marqué son premier but pour le FC Lausanne" [Switzerland: Enzo Zidane scored his first goal for FC Lausanne]. L'Equipe (in French). 21 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Enzo Zidane et Hoarau buteurs en Suisse" [Enzo Zidane and Hoarau goalscorers in Switzerland]. Le Figaro (in French). 2 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Enzo Zidane se decidió por el CF Rayo Majadahonda como próximo paso en su carrera" [Enzo Zidane decided for CF Rayo Majadahonda for the next step on his career] (in Spanish). CF Rayo Majadahonda. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  17. ^ Ortiz, Christian (19 August 2018). "El Zaragoza recupera la sonrisa dos meses después ante el Majadahonda" [Zaragoza recover their smiles two months later against Majadahonda]. Marca (in Spanish). Spain. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  18. ^ Zárate, Óscar (11 July 2019). "El fútbol portugués tienta al errático Enzo Zidane" [Portuguese football tempts the erratic Enzo Zidane]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Enzo Zidane inscrit son premier but en Championnat du Portugal" [Enzo Zidane records his first goal in Portuguese Championship]. L'Équipe (in French). 23 August 2019. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  20. ^ "UD Almeria agree last minute loan transfer with midfielder Enzo Fernández". UD Almería. 1 February 2020. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Enzo Zidane y el Almería separan sus caminos" [Enzo Zidane and Almería go separate ways] (in Spanish). Be Soccer. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Wydad sign Enzo Zidane from Almeria – reports". as.com. 24 September 2020. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Agent Roberto Carlos hopes Enzo Zidane will sign for Wydad Casablanca". Goal.com. 24 September 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  24. ^ Kitabri, A. (27 September 2020). "L'arrivée d'Enzo Zidane au WAC : De l'infox et du " fake news " !" [Enzo Zidane's arrival at WAC: hoax and fake news!]. L'Opinion (in French). Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Football : Enzo Zidane, fils de Zinédine, signe en Ligue 2 à Rodez" [Football: Enzo Zidane, son of Zinedine, signs for Rodez in Ligue 2]. Midi Libre (in French). 9 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Enzo Zidane ficha por el Fuenlabrada" [Enzo Zidane signs for Fuenlabrada] (in Spanish). CF Fuenlabrada. 18 July 2022. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  27. ^ "Aire fresco para el Fuenla" [Fresh air for Fuenla] (in Spanish). 11 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Zinedine Zidane's eldest son retires from football at 29". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo!. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  29. ^ "Enzo Zidane called up for Spain under-16s". Marca (in Spanish). Spain. 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  30. ^ "Ginés Meléndez: We plan on calling up Enzo Zidane". Diario AS (in Spanish). 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  31. ^ "ZZ is back on top" Archived 12 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, The Guardian 4 April 2004
  32. ^ "FIFA Statutes" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  33. ^ "Zinedine Zidane's son may opt to play for Spain instead of France". The Daily Telegraph. 7 September 2010. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  34. ^ "Enzo Zidane is a chip off the old block – apart from his nationality". The Guardian. 24 March 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  35. ^ "Zidane tells in-demand son to concentrate on studies". World Soccer. 13 July 2011. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  36. ^ "Enzo Zidane 'to play for France, not Spain'". France 24. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  37. ^ "Enzo Zidane appelé pour des tests médicaux avec les U19 – Foot – FFF". L'Équipe. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  38. ^ PLAYER PROFILE: ENZO Archived 26 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Real Madrid
  39. ^ "Enzo Francescoli: The prince of Uruguay who inspired a young Zidane". 14 January 2020.
  40. ^ "12 things to know about Zinedine Zidane". bitfeed.co. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  41. ^ "Juvenil B's Luca" (in Spanish). Real Madrid C.F. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  42. ^ "Infantil B's Theo" (in Spanish). Real Madrid C.F. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  43. ^ "Benjamin A's Elyaz" (in Spanish). Real Madrid C.F. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  44. ^ @enzo (20 May 2022). "Bienvenue notre Sia, notre princesse - 19/05/22" – via Instagram.
  45. ^ Enzo Zidane at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 January 2018.  
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