Ekitike's season over as well as World Cup dream
Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with France after a reported achilles tendon rupture, the France Football Federation has announced.
The Liverpool forward left the pitch on a stretcher midway through the first half of the Reds' 2-0 loss against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, which the Ligue 1 team claimed 4-0 on aggregate.
Reports suggest Ekitike ruptured his right achilles tendon at Anfield, having gone down off the ball with no opponent around him, which usually means an absence of around nine months.
"Unfortunately, the severity of [Ekitike's] injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and taking part in the [FIFA] World Cup," France head coach Didier Deschamps said.
"This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team. I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire coaching staff."
Liverpool is yet to confirm the severity of Ekitike's injury, but his absence for the rest of the season will be a massive blow to their top-five hopes in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has scored 17 goals and managed six assists in all competitions in his first season with Liverpool, which sits fifth on the Premier League table.
France and Liverpool team-mate Ibrahima Konate said: "I think it is bad. I don't know, I have heard many things.
"I have no word to talk about that because, with the [FIFA] World Cup coming, it is very, very hard for him, and I send him my prayers."
