Kazakh Zineden Zidane: life of boy with unique name

viewings icon comments icon

ПОДЕЛИТЬСЯ

whatsapp button telegram button facebook button
Photo: depositphotos.com/Musiu0 Photo: depositphotos.com/Musiu0

Tengrinews.kz - A boy with a name that instantly draws attention—Zineden Zidane—is growing up in Atyrau. He was named after the legendary footballer and coach Zinedine Zidane. A Tengrinews.kz correspondent spoke with the boy and his mother to learn what it's like to carry the name of a global football icon.

whatsapp button telegram button facebook button copyLink button
Иконка комментария блок соц сети

Tengrinews.kz - A boy with a name that instantly draws attention—Zineden Zidane—is growing up in Atyrau. He was named after the legendary footballer and coach Zinedine Zidane. A Tengrinews.kz correspondent spoke with the boy and his mother to learn what it's like to carry the name of a global football icon.

Zidane was born on February 27, 2017, and is currently in second grade. According to his mother, the name was chosen by his grandfather, a devoted fan of the French athlete and Real Madrid football club.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

The choice held special meaning for the family, as the grandfather had always dreamed of having one of his grandchildren named after his idol. When the third grandson was born, he firmly decided the boy would bear the name of one of the greatest football players in history.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

"My father-in-law had long dreamed of naming one of his grandsons after Zidane, even before my son was born. Since their family name is Zineden, he especially wanted the name and surname to sound together like the legendary footballer. My son is now preparing to celebrate his 8th birthday," the mother shared.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

Initially, Zidane's mother, Malika, felt awkward about her son's unusual name, especially when calling him in public. She admits that she sometimes avoided saying his name out loud. However, after an interview was published on Tengrinews.kz, everything changed.

"People started recognizing us. When I called my son, people would approach and ask, 'Is that the Zidane?' Thanks to the journalists, many in the city already know him. People would stop, shake his hand, and ask for photos. After that, I proudly began calling him by his name," Malika said.

Zidane and his grandfather share a truly unique bond. From the moment he was born, his grandfather became the boy’s closest person, and their connection has only grown stronger over the years. They spend a lot of time together: playing football, fishing, and hunting. The grandfather has become not just a mentor to Zidane but a true friend.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

"They have an amazing connection. From birth, Zidane was his favorite, and his grandfather cherished him, surrounding him with care and attention. Even now, he sometimes carries Zidane in his arms, and their bond remains close. His grandfather is his main mentor and support," the mother noted.

From a young age, Zidane has shown a lively interest in football. He loves playing with his friends and dreams of becoming a professional footballer. However, his idol is not Zizou (Zidane's nickname) but another global football star—Cristiano Ronaldo.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

"I love my name. I adore playing football, and in the future, I want to be like Ronaldo. He’s the best football player in the world," the seven-year-old Zidane shares enthusiastically.

The boy is already taking his first steps in sports, though he has not yet joined a football club. For now, he is passionate about physical education, but his mother believes that in the future, Zidane will have the opportunity to develop his football skills.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

"We wanted him to get used to school first. Professional football clubs usually accept kids starting from the age of 8, so we’re planning to enroll him this year. Zidane himself has asked multiple times to join football. Everyone believes he has the potential to become a true football star," shared the boy’s mother, Malika.

At home and school, Zidane is always addressed by his full name—there are no nicknames for him. His homeroom teacher, Zhanar, describes him as an active, sociable, and cheerful child who, like many of his peers, loves physical education classes.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

"He’s very friendly and quickly connects with those around him. Among his peers, he already has a kind of ‘childhood’ authority. Adults—teachers and older students—are the ones who pay more attention to his famous name. Zidan is sweet, always neat and tidy. His favorite subjects are ‘World knowledge’ and ‘Natural science,’" said his teacher.

Interestingly, the legendary footballer’s name is arranged as Zinedine Zidane, while his Kazakh namesake’s name and surname are reversed—Zineden Zidane—adding even more uniqueness to his identity.

Photo provided to Tengrinews.kz by Zidane's mother

Author - Aruzhan Daribay

Tengrinews
Читайте также
Join Telegram Последние новости
Fog to blanket Almaty until February 10
Kuandyk Bishimbayev filed a lawsuit
Sirens sounded in Almaty: what happened
Kazhydromet warned residents of Almaty
Лого TengriNews мобильная Лого TengriLife мобильная Лого TengriSport мобильная Лого TengriAuto мобильная Иконка меню мобильная
Иконка закрытия мобильного меню
Открыть TengriNews Открыть TengriLife Открыть TengriSport Открыть TengriAuto Открыть TengriTravel Открыть TengriEdu Открыть TengriGuide

Exchange Rates

 509.91  course up  526.46  course up  5.25  course down

 

Weather

 

Редакция Advertising
Социальные сети
Иконка Instagram footer Иконка Telegram footer Иконка Vkontakte footer Иконка Facebook footer Иконка Twitter footer Иконка Youtube footer Иконка TikTok footer Иконка WhatsApp footer