Granada goalkeeper Luca Zidane is set to miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup after suffering fractures to his jaw and chin during his club’s 4-2 LaLiga 2 defeat to Almeria.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper, son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, was forced off late in Sunday’s match after a heavy collision with an opponent.
He was initially treated for concussion before further medical tests confirmed the facial injuries.
Granada announced the setback in an official statement on Monday.
“Medical examinations carried out on Luca Zidane following the concussion sustained in the match against UD Almeria have also confirmed fractures to his jaw and chin,” the club stated.
The injury is expected to sideline Zidane for several weeks, ruling him out of Algeria’s squad for the World Cup in North America, scheduled from June 11 to July 19.
Zidane recently switched international allegiance to Algeria after previously representing France at youth level.
He made his maiden major tournament appearance for the Desert Foxes at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped the team reach the quarter-finals.
His absence will come as a major blow to Algeria ahead of the tournament, where they are drawn in Group J alongside defending champions Argentina, Jordan and Austria.
At club level, Zidane has featured in 26 league matches this season for Granada, who currently sit 14th in the LaLiga 2 standings with 45 points.