Ekitike Enters The French Squad Despite Fear Of Injury
JAKRTA - Hugo Ekitike has been included in Didier Deschamps' latest France National Team (Timnas) squad despite suffering an injury when Liverpool lost to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, early morning WIB.
Ekitike, who was forced off the field in the second half in Istanbul, received his first call to the French national team in August 2025, replacing the injured Rayan Cherki.
He will return with Les Bleus for the 2026 World Cup Qualification match against Azerbaijan and Iceland in October 2025.
SEE ALSO:
"He said he couldn't continue the match, so we had to pull him out. Let's see how his condition is for this weekend," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said after Ekitike was forced off the pitch in Istanbul.
Crystal Palace's Jean-Phillipe Mateta got her first call to the French national team, adding to Deschamps' many attacking line options, including Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola, and Kingsley Coman.
The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, Ousmane Dembele, remains absent due to injury, including Premier League title hunters William Saliba (Arsenal) and Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool).
French national team squad
Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kunde, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
Midfielder: Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Kone, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Khephren Thuram
Attacker: Maghnes AkliOKe, Bradley Barcola, Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekitike, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku