Ekitike in France squad despite injury trouble
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike has been included in the France national squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers despite sustaining an injury during his club’s recent Champions League match. The 23-year-old was forced off midway through the second half in Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul on September 30. Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed Ekitike’s withdrawal was due to discomfort felt while reaching for the ball, leaving the club and national team cautiously optimistic about the severity. Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £79 million summer transfer, will travel with Didier Deschamps’ squad for fixtures against Azerbaijan and Iceland in October.
Ekitike received his first senior France call-up in August, replacing the injured Rayan Cherki. Despite the recent injury scare, Liverpool’s coaching staff and France officials view his inclusion as a positive sign of recovery. Slot commented after the Istanbul match, “He said he couldn’t continue so we had to take him off. Let’s see how he is for the weekend.” Ekitike has quickly become pivotal to Liverpool’s attacking setup, demonstrating strong composure and versatility up front alongside recent signing Alexander Isak.
The France squad also features Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has earned his first senior call-up following an impressive start to the season, having scored four goals for the Premier League side. Mateta’s selection strengthens Didier Deschamps’ attacking options amid injuries to key players like Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Thuram. Other notable inclusions include Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola, Kingsley Coman of Al Nassr, and Liverpool defenders Ibrahima Konaté and William Saliba.
Deschamps praised Mateta’s form and goalscoring ability, stating, “He possesses a talent for finding the back of the net. This is influenced by the unavailability of Marcus Thuram, but Mateta has a solid profile and has performed well, especially considering his Olympic experience.”
For Liverpool, Ekitike’s international call-up amid injury concerns underscores his growing importance as a prolific forward with pressing resistance and clinical finishing. The upcoming international break provides a crucial window for monitoring his fitness ahead of a demanding schedule that includes Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as Champions League clashes.
This strategic squad selection reflects both national team adaptation to injury challenges and Liverpool’s reliance on Ekitike’s emerging talent in their pursuit of domestic and European success. Ekitike’s continued availability and form will be vital in maintaining Liverpool’s attacking depth, while the World Cup qualifiers represent an opportunity to consolidate his place in France’s senior setup.