Naveed
Zinedine Zidane has described himself as a non-practising Muslim: he believes in God but does not follow Islamic rituals in daily life. His parents emigrated to France from the Kabylie region of Algeria.
| Religion | Islam (non-practising, by his own description) |
|---|---|
| Status | Confirmed by his own statement |
| Full name | Zinedine Yazid Zidane |
| Born | June 23, 1972, Marseille, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Profession | Former footballer and manager |
| Family background | Parents Smaïl and Malika, Kabyle Berbers from Béjaïa province, Algeria |
What Religion Is Zinedine Zidane?
Zidane grew up in a Muslim Kabyle family and describes himself as a non-practising Muslim. He keeps religion private and rarely mentions it in interviews or on social media.
Kabyle Roots in Marseille
His father, Smaïl, left the village of Aguemoune in Kabylie to work in France, and Zidane grew up in La Castellane, a housing estate in northern Marseille. He has summed up his identity as Kabyle from La Castellane, then Algerian from Marseille, then French.
Religion and the French Press
Questions about Zidane’s faith have caused controversy in France, where some commentators have objected to journalists asking him about religion at all. Goal.com covered one such debate.
FAQ
Is Zinedine Zidane Muslim?
He describes himself as a non-practising Muslim.
Is Zidane Algerian?
He is French, born in Marseille to Kabyle Algerian parents.
Does Zidane pray?
He has said he believes in God but does not follow daily Islamic ritual.
Related Celebrities
- Kylian Mbappé's religion
- Rayan Cherki's religion
- Ousmane Dembélé's religion
- William Saliba's religion
Sources
- GetReligion: Zidane, Christian or lapsed Muslim?
- Goal: "Why are you asking him about his religion?" New controversy in France around Zidane
- Wikipedia: Zinedine Zidane
Last updated: September 24, 2026.
