Enzo Zidane, the eldest son of football legend Zinedine Zidane, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 29. The former midfielder, who made his Real Madrid debut in November 2016, has decided to hang up his boots after a challenging career marked by difficulty in establishing himself in top-flight football.
According to reports from AS, Enzo, who has been without a club for the past year, is stepping away from the sport due to a lack of motivation and opportunities. His last stint was with Fuenlabrada, a club in the Spanish third tier, where he experienced a promising start but struggled to maintain his form as the season progressed.
Enzo began his career in Real Madrid’s youth system, following in the footsteps of his famous father. He impressed in the junior ranks and played two solid seasons with Real Madrid’s reserve team. His most memorable moment came in November 2016 when his father, then-manager Zinedine Zidane, gave him the chance to play for the first team in a Copa del Rey match against Cultural Leonesa, where Enzo scored on his debut.
Despite this bright start, Enzo’s career never took off at the top level. After 13 years in Madrid’s youth setup, he left for Alavés but managed only four appearances before moving on to Lausanne Sports in Switzerland. A season with Rayo Majadahonda followed, where he had a decent run but couldn’t prevent the team from relegation.
The following years saw Enzo’s career take a turbulent turn, with short spells at Desportivo Aves in Portugal, Almería in Spain, and Ligue 2 side Rodez, where his father holds shares. He ended his playing days at Fuenlabrada, where he faced a relegation battle.
Enzo’s journey through football was overshadowed by the weight of his surname and the immense expectations that came with being Zinedine Zidane’s son. While his father’s influence helped him enter the professional scene, it also placed heavy pressure on him to succeed.
After rejecting a few offers in recent months, Enzo decided to call time on his career, preferring to step away rather than continue without clear direction. His retirement marks the end of a difficult chapter in a career that, despite its promise, never fully blossomed.
