Enzo Zidane has decided to hang up his boots at the age of 29, putting an end to a career that didn’t reach the heights he and many others had anticipated.
Despite a promising start in football, his journey was not without obstacles and disappointments. The eldest son of Zinedine Zidane, a Real Madrid legend, has chosen to retire after his stint with Fuenlabrada in the Primera RFEF, ultimately stepping away from his dream of establishing himself at the top level of football.
From a young age, Enzo was linked to Real Madrid, where he spent more than a decade training in the club’s academy. His debut with the first team came in November 2016 under the guidance of his father during a Copa del Rey match against Cultural Leonesa. Enzo made an unforgettable impact by scoring a goal in that game; however, the initial spark slowly faded over time. Expectations were high, but opportunities in the first team were limited, and he soon had to seek new challenges away from the white club.
In his quest for stability and playing time, Enzo embarked on a journey across several European clubs, including Alavés, Lausanne in Switzerland, Rayo Majadahonda, CD Aves in Portugal, Almería, and Rodez Aveyron in France’s Ligue 2. At each stop, Enzo tried to find his best form, but circumstances and the lack of consistency on the pitch prevented him from becoming a key player for any of these teams.
The pressure of carrying such a distinguished surname in the football world was always present. Being the eldest son of a legend like Zinedine Zidane was a heavy burden that followed Enzo throughout his career. Although he tried to forge his own path with his name, his development was constantly compared to his father’s legacy. This pressure, combined with a lack of opportunities and mental fatigue, contributed to his decision to step away from professional football for good.
He last played for Fuenlabrada in the 3rd tier of Spanish football and he wants to focus on private stuff, including his investments.
By the summer of 2023, after finishing his time with Fuenlabrada, Enzo had already considered the possibility of retirement. Although some teams expressed interest in signing him, the midfielder felt that continuing in football wouldn’t bring him the same fulfillment it once had. He chose to step away from the game to focus on his family and new projects outside of the sport.
Enzo Zidane’s farewell leaves a bittersweet feeling, as many had hoped his career would follow in his father’s footsteps and that he would shine at the top of European football. However, his journey serves as a reminder that in this sport, talent and effort aren’t always enough to achieve the desired success. Now, Enzo embarks on a new path away from football, closing an important chapter in his life with the same dignity with which he faced every challenge in his career.
