AdidasPadel racket · 2026Metalbone ZZ Carbon Zidane

Zinedine Zidane has played padel for years, and he runs courts at his Z5 centres in France. This is his first padel racket with adidas, launched in October 2026 as the start of the Metalbone ZZ line, and the Carbon is the top model. It extends a partnership between Zidane and adidas that goes back three decades. The campaign puts him alongside Ale Galán, under the line "Different court, same competitive spirit".

It's a Metalbone, but not the one you know. Where the standard Metalbone is a diamond built to finish points, the ZZ Carbon is a round racket with an even balance. In the hand it's closer to how Zidane played football: calm on the ball, very precise, never in a hurry. The 3K carbon face and soft, low-density EVA core give you a clean, comfortable contact with plenty of feel on volleys and lobs. The octagonal frame keeps the head stable on off-centre hits, and the slightly longer Extra Power Grip lets you get a bit more whip into a smash when you need it.

Our honest take

Buy this one because you want it. It's a special edition with a story, a lovely white, sand and gold finish and exclusive packaging, and it plays like a proper control racket rather than a gimmick. If you're chasing pure power, the regular Metalbone or Metalbone Carbon will hit harder for less money. If you want a round, forgiving, high-end racket you'll enjoy every time you take it out of the bag, and you like the idea of owning the first Zidane padel racket, this is it. We only have a couple.

Specs

• Shape: round
• Balance: even (medium)
• Weight: 360 to 375g
• Face: 3K carbon
• Core: low-density EVA (soft)
• Surface: textured, Spin Blade decal
• Frame: octagonal structure, polyhedral (Low Poly) frame, Smart Holes Curve
• Handle: Extra Power Grip (longer)
• Level: intermediate to advanced
• Ref: AR2CA7U97 (adidas KN0489)