Hugo Ekitike on playing for France: “I see it as the Holy Grail.” | OneFootball

Hugo Ekitike (22) has rapidly earned a reputation as one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe since joining Eintracht Frankfurt from Paris Saint-Germain during the 2024 winter transfer window.

This season the Frenchman has registered 18 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions, numbers which are rumoured to have attracted the interest of a big money move to Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool.

Despite these lofty links, Ekitike has his focus on another goal; representing his national side. In an interview with L’Équipe the former Stade de Reims man was asked whether he had done enough to earn a call-up to Didier Deschamps’ France team. “It’s the coach who decides,” Ekitike replied, “I focus always on how to do more to one day get there.”

A tough task, the striker admits, “We are perhaps the best nation in the world, places are expensive, you have to earn it. I see it as the Holy Grail. The French team represents everything.”

Does Hugo Ekitike need to move club to earn Didier Deschamps’ attention?

Asked whether it was perhaps an impediment to his ambitions playing at Frankfurt, he was quick to point out that he is following a path already trodden by the current first choice France striker. “Randal Kolo Muani was in the French team when he played in Frankfurt. He did it, so why not me?”

GFFN | Nick Hartland