In a shocking turn of events, Enzo Zidane, son of the legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, has announced his retirement from professional football at the tender age of 29. The decision comes as he grapples with the heavy expectation that accompanies his surname, alongside a waning passion for the game.
The life of a footballer is often paved with pressures, especially for those who walk in the shadows of celebrated family members. While some players, like Erling Haaland, have turned their lineage into motivation, others find it a daunting challenge. This sentiment resonates in the case of Enzo, who despite an early debut success, felt the burden of expectation weighing heavily on his shoulders.
This year, we saw a similar narrative unfold with Romeo Beckham, who retired at just 22 to chase a fashion career after leaving Brentford. Now, Enzo joins this list of well-known names and their offspring who have struggled to escape the shadows cast by their legendary parents.
Retirement Due to ‘Boredom’
According to reports from AS, echoed by the Daily Mail, Enzo has made the difficult decision to step away from football, citing ‘boredom’ and a loss of enthusiasm for the sport. His career, which spanned various European leagues in Spain, Switzerland, France, and Portugal, saw him without a club since 2023 and has often been described as a journeyman journey.
Enzo expressed that the prolonged wait for a new club and the seemingly endless cycle of agent talks had drained his enjoyment of the game. Now, he aims to focus on his family life with his wife, Karen Goncalves, and their three daughters while also exploring investments in other ventures.
The Legacy Burden
While one might assume that being the son of Zizou would provide a direct pathway to success, it often comes with a crushing weight of expectation. At the start of his career, Zidane played under his mother’s maiden name, Fernandez, in an attempt to forge his own identity absent from the inevitable comparisons.
In a 2018 interview with Marca, Enzo reflected on the challenges of living up to his father’s legacy: “I’ve had it since I was little, and it’s always going to be that way. I try to focus on being the best version of myself amidst the comparisons and the pressure. My family’s pride is what matters the most.”
Enzo began his football journey at the Real Madrid academy and was awarded a spot in the first team by his father, scoring on his debut in a Copa del Rey match—a feat only matched by the unique father-son duo in Madrid history.
After a short spell at Alaves, he ventured into clubs like Lausanne-Sport and Desportivo Aves, eventually finishing his career with CF Fuenlabrada in 2023.
Enzo Zidane’s Career Statistics
- Games: 203
- Goals: 13
- Assists: 24
- Clubs: 9
- Honours:
Note: All statistics are accurate as of September 27, 2024, courtesy of Transfermarkt.)
