End of Ikitiki’s season with Liverpool and his absence from the World Cup due to injury

Defending English Premier League champion Liverpool confirmed that its striker Ugo Ekitike will miss the remainder of the season in addition to the 2026 World Cup, after suffering a serious injury during the loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The 23-year-old player fell to the ground holding his lower right leg during the first half of Liverpool’s 0-2 loss to European champion Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the quarter-finals at Anfield on Tuesday, and was forced to leave the field.

A brief statement issued by Liverpool on Thursday said that tests later confirmed that he had suffered a “ruptured Achilles tendon.”

“Accordingly, Equitike will miss the remaining weeks of the club’s season and will not be able to participate in this summer’s World Cup with France,” the statement added.

Liverpool did not specify any timetable for Equitike’s recovery, saying only that “developments will be announced at the appropriate time, with Ugo receiving the full support of everyone at Liverpool.”

The player wrote on his Instagram account, “It is difficult, and perhaps even unfair… but I am grateful that this happened to me here, among you.” I’m not alone. Your strength and love will be my motivation. See you, Anfield.

Liverpool’s statement came after France coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday that Ekitikeh would be absent from the World Cup.

Deschamps said in a statement issued by the French Football Federation, “Unfortunately, the severity of (Equitique’s) injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup.”

He continued, “This injury is a severe blow to him, of course, but it is also to the French national team.” “I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as the support of the entire technical staff.”

Ekitike scored 17 goals in 45 matches in various competitions with Liverpool since joining Anfield for 79 million pounds ($105.5 million) last summer.