ZINEDINE ZIDANE has promoted his 18-year-old son Theo to the Real Madrid first-team training squad as the club battles an injury crisis.
Los Blancos had just 13 senior players to choose from against Getafe last week.
Zinedine Zidane has called on the services of his third son to bail him out of an injury crisisCredit: Getty Images – Getty
France youth star Theo Zidane is said to be the most similar to his dadCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
French boss Zidane, 48, was forced to pack his bench full of youngsters and name two goalkeepers for the 2-0 win.
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard, skipper Sergio Ramos and Marcelo are just some of the big names heading up the lengthy injury list.
After being restricted to naming just three fit senior outfield players on the bench for the 2-0 victory against Valencia on Sunday – Zidane has drafted in a batch of kids to plug the gap.
His third-eldest son Theo – a midfielder like his dad – joins centre-back Marvel, full-back Lorenzo Aguado and midfielder Kenneth Soler in senior training.
It is not Theo’s first time with the first team after he trained with the squad during the international break in October last year.
He followed in the footsteps of older brothers Luca and Enzo by linking up with the Galacticos.
Theo is the most similar player to his famous father with Spanish outlet AS describing him as ‘possessing a tall frame, a fierce shout and a deft touch’.
If he is picked for the game against Valladolid, Theo will become the fourth member of the Zidane clan to don the famous white shirt.
The talented teenager has already represented France at Under-16 and Under-17 level.
He has also made his debut for the second-string Castilla side – the team Zidane managed before graduating to the top job.
Enzo Zidane, 25, is the eldest of Zidane’s four children and made his Real Madrid debut in the Copa del Rey in 2016, scoring in the 6-1 win over Cultural Leonesa.
The midfielder has 1.3million Instagram followers but was released by Almeria in October and is unattached.
Luca Zidane, 22, is a keeper who fans will remember as Madrid’s third-choice shot-stopper in 2017-18.
He made two league appearances before being shipped out on loan to Racing Santander.
The French Under-20 ace joined second-tier Rayo Vallecano on a free transfer in October.
Youngest son Elyaz, 15, is on the books at Real and the left-back runs out for the Under-16 side.
