'He Doesn't Deserve it' -Liverpool Star Hugo Ekitike Receives Surprising National Team Ban

Hugo Ekitike has started very well for Liverpool since completing his move from Eintranct Frankfurt in the summer, but the Belgian coach has sworn never to call him up to his squad.

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike (23) has been dealt a double blow on the international stage after being left out of both France and Cameroon’s squads for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Despite his explosive start to life at Liverpool—scoring in each of his first three official matches since his €95 million transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt—Didier Deschamps did not include Ekitike in France’s squad for their September fixtures against Ukraine and Iceland.

Ekitike, who has represented France at youth level but has yet to debut for the senior team, was reportedly prepared to switch allegiance to Cameroon, the country of his descent.

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That move, however, appears to have been blocked. Cameroon’s Belgian head coach Marc Brys dismissed the idea of calling up the striker, questioning his commitment.

“I haven’t contacted him. He gambled everything on the French national team and it didn’t work out. And now we, Cameroon, are supposed to be his second choice? We don’t need that.

“He’s a very good player, no doubt. But in the situation I’ve described, he doesn’t deserve to be here. I need good players who play with heart, not ‘stars’ who think they can pick and choose teams based on the circumstances,” Brys told FootMercato.

With international doors closed—for now—Ekitike’s focus returns to club football, where he is currently a key role in Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal in Premier League Matchday 3. 

Signed for up to £79 million in the summer, Hugo Ekitike has wasted no time proving his worth. 

The French striker struck on his debut in the Community Shield and added goals in each of his first two Premier League outings, instantly emerging as Liverpool’s breakout star of the season and quieting talk that the Reds should have pursued Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.