Zinedine Zidane has explained his decision to hand his son Luca his first competitive appearance in the win over Huesca.
With Thibaut Courtois out injured and Keylor Navas apparently in need of a rest, Luca Zidane started in goal for the 3-2 win at the weekend, much to the interest of the media. “I was not picking my son, but a player in Real Madrid’s squad,” he said. “I see him as one other player for the team.
I am happy for him, for his debut here, with a victory. “But that is Luca, he is the third keeper.
Thibaut (Courtois) was out and I wanted to give Keylor (Navas) a rest after playing with his country.
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It came out well.” Madrid confirmed on their website on Saturday evening that Courtois was suffering from tendonitis and it remains to be seen if Navas will come back in for Thursday’s trip to in-form Valencia. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema’s long-term future remains in doubt but Zidane insists he will keep faith in the 31-year-old who could be set for a summer move away.
“This year is maybe Karim’s best year,” Zidane added. “I will count on him, there are nine games left, and that is the most important, to finish the season well. “Then we will see what happens, but Karim is a player at this club. I don’t believe that will change.”
