The Theo Zidane case worries Real Madrid and Spain

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The new Zidane. For several years now, France has been looking for the successor to the tricolor legend. Many have been quoted, but none have managed to take over from the former Blues number 10 simply because there aren't two like him. Uniquely, Zizou passed on his love of football to his four sons Enzo (28, Fuenlabrada), Luca (24, Eibar), Théo (20, Real Madrid) and Elyaz (17, Juvenil B). All have advanced with this label of “son of” but also to inherit from ZZ on the ground. In particular the eldest, Enzo, who played in the middle like his father. Now it's a bit the same for Theo, who also holds this position.

Theo before Zidane

Born in 2002 in Marseille, he obtained his first license at the age of 6 at CD Canillas in Spain. Two years later, in 2010, he joined Real Madrid's training centre. He made all his classes there by successfully crossing the stages one after the other. At the same time, he took his first steps in the France U16 team on 22 May 2018 during a match against Germany. Came into play 49 minutes, he could not avoid his team's defeat (2-3). A year later he participated in Euro U17. Selected with the Habs, Théo Zidane took the opportunity to give one of his very rare interviews to UEFA's website.

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The 1m94 footballer had explained that he was progressing even though he was in the shadow of his father. “To be honest, I don't hear much about what people say about my name. I guess some people try to compare me to my father, but that's part of the game. When I play, I'm Theo before Zidane. I want to be recognized for that. Before he came to the EC [Zinedine Zidane] told me to have fun playing, to trust myself and not to change the way I play because that's how I got into the national team. He told me that no matter what, he will be proud of me. I am lucky that I know the right person to give me advice.” All that remained was to apply them.

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From Real Madrid to France

Keeper against England in the first match (59 minutes played), he was then content to come on. The team coach at the time, Jean-Claude Giuntini was conquered as he had admitted to RMC Sports. “It is a potential forward and the future. He is a central midfielder, very slim, generous in effort with good peripheral vision and thanks to his size a good leading player. But he has to play games and keep working physically to go higher. Since then, Théo Zidane has continued on his merry way. Fit straight into the U19 selection, after the covid 19 epidemic caused him to skip the U18 box, the midfielder discovered the Youth League at the club. A competition he won with the Merengues in 2019-20.

A few months later he took part in some professional group training while playing with Castilla (3 appearances). A pride for the young man of 20 years. At the same time, France continued to believe in him with selections in the U20 (4 caps). But since October 10, 2021 and a friendly against Tunisia, the player with 21 youth caps (2 goals) has not found the French. At the club, he continued to develop with Castilla. In 2021-22 he appeared 22 times. This season he is already in 23 games, including 8 as a starter (1 goal). Used regularly by Raul, Theo has long been considered in Spain as the one who could succeed in making a name and especially a first name among the Zidane siblings.

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A player who has not completely convinced

But opinions have changed a little on the other side of the Pyrenees. In addition to the rise of his little brother Elyaz, his level issues. Journalist for ReportSergi Santos says: “this year he has just started playing with Castilla, even though he is already 20 years old. He is an attacking midfielder, with a lot of quality, but he lacks a little physicality. In the future, it seems very difficult for him to reach the top division , at least in one of the big leagues.” An opinion shared to some extent by Andrés Onrubia, journalist and correspondent for AS and that SER padlock in Paris, who were contacted by us.

“Looks like a pretty light player. He's tall, slow and he has a good touch on the ball, but his movements are slow. His strong point is that he uses his body well. Its weak point, I think, is its slowness . It is difficult for him to continue. In Madrid at the moment there is little talk about him. He trained with the first team, but they do not see him as a crack. Regarding his future, at the moment the only thing that is said is that he will continue in Madrid. How long ? That is the real question. Théo Zidane, quickly touted as the possible worthy successor to Zizou, has his work cut out for him to convince Madrid and Spain that he can win at the highest level.