Hugo Ekitike is the new 'darling' of French football as national media go wild for Liverpool star
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Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike scored his first goal for France on Thursday as they qualified for the 2026 World Cup in style.Les Bleus will be one of the favourites to win the trophy next summer, and Ekitike has emerged into the squad at exactly the right time.His status as one of Didier Deschamps’ go-to men was underlined with a brilliantly taken effort during Thursday’s 4-0 win over Ukraine in Paris.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Ekitike has arguably been Liverpool’s best signing of the summer, having hit six goals in 16 appearances for the Reds.The 23-year-old has become an instant hit at Anfield, with his infectious personality quickly endearing him to supporters.And after he scored for his country for the very first time at the Parc des Princes, French media declared themselves to be totally won over by Ekitike as well.Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty ImagesHugo Ekitike earns big praise after maiden France goalLiverpool fans are well aware of what Ekitike can do having seen him already deliver some magic for them over the course of the season so far.Given he has only played four times for them, France supporters were perhaps less aware of the former PSG man’s qualities before Thursday evening.READ MORE: Adam Wharton says it’s ‘pretty obvious’ what’s happening with Marc Guehi amid Liverpool speculationHowever, as Foot Mercato report, Ekitike has now become the ‘darling’ of a new-look France team under Deschamps.Supporters are said to have been so impressed by the Liverpool striker’s goal that they afforded him a standing ovation as he celebrated.
Who has been Liverpool’s best summer signing? Ekitike is claimed to have ‘truly captivated’ the crowd, with his excellent run and finish simply the cherry on top of the cake.Liverpool’s No.
22 reportedly brought ‘energy, spontaneity and precision in the final third’; exactly what the team had been missing prior to his 67th minute introduction.Ekitike reacts to first France goalOne thing that has become clear about Ekitike during his time at Liverpool so far is that he is a man who likes to enjoy himself.And why not? I want to keep performing because I’m someone who’s enjoying himself and wants to continue doing what I’m doing.”A place in Deschamps’ final World Cup squad now feels well within Ekitike’s reach.