France manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Hugo Ekitike will miss the rest of the season and the upcoming World Cup after suffering a suspected Achilles injury.
The Liverpool striker picked up the injury during his team’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday. He left the pitch on a stretcher, and early reports suggest Liverpool expect a long recovery period. The injury may also delay his return at the start of next season.
Ekitike underwent scans on Wednesday, which are expected to confirm the full extent of the damage.
In an official statement released by the French Football Federation, Deschamps expressed his disappointment over the situation.
He said the injury would prevent Ekitike from finishing the season with Liverpool and from taking part in the World Cup.
Deschamps also highlighted the striker’s importance to the national team, noting how quickly he had adapted after making his debut for France. He added that the entire squad and coaching staff fully support him during his recovery and believe he will return to top form.
Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in July and quickly became one of the club’s standout performers during a challenging season. He has scored 17 goals and provided six assists across all competitions.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also reacted after the match, admitting the injury did not look serious at first but later appeared more concerning. He confirmed that Ekitike left the stadium early and said the club is waiting for full medical updates.
