Hugo Ekitike Gets First Call-Up As Injured Rayan Cherki Pulls Out Of France Squad

Last Updated:August 31, 2025, 23:38 IST

Hugo Ekitike earns his first France call-up, replacing injured Rayan Cherki. Ekitike impressed at Liverpool and joins Didier Deschamps' squad amid several injury setbacks.

Hugo Ekitike has been in excellent form for Liverpool. (Picture credit: AP)

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has received his first call-up to the French national team, replacing the injured Rayan Cherki, as announced by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Sunday.

Prior to Sunday’s match against Arsenal, Ekitike had shown a strong start to his Liverpool career, netting three goals in three competitive games since his summer transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 23-year-old forward also scored five goals in five appearances for the France Under-21 team last season.

Ekitike plays as a No.9, a position coach Didier Deschamps has struggled to fill since Olivier Giroud retired from international football.

Despite his form, Ekitike was not included when Deschamps named his squad for the opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine in Poland on Friday and against Iceland in Paris on September 9.

Cherki, who missed Sunday’s game for Manchester City in the English Premier League, is dealing with a “torn left quadriceps," according to the FFF.

“He’s out for two months or so," City manager Pep Guardiola said on Sunday following his team’s 2-1 loss at Brighton.

The weekend fixtures may have presented Deschamps with additional challenges.

Striker Ousmane Dembele left the field clutching his left hamstring after scoring twice in Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Defender William Saliba, who missed the Nations League Final Four in June, exited five minutes into Arsenal’s Premier League game with Liverpool on Sunday after a collision with Ekitike.

Another member of the France squad, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, also limped off in the 79th minute.

(With AFP Inputs)

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First Published:

August 31, 2025, 23:38 IST

News sports Hugo Ekitike Gets First Call-Up As Injured Rayan Cherki Pulls Out Of France Squad

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