What Lionel Messi previously remarked about Hugo Ekitike during their shared time at Paris Saint-Germain should invigorate Liverpool fans and alleviate the doubts surrounding the Reds’ choice to acquire the French player, particularly after opting to prioritize him over Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
The 23-year-old has consented to join the Premier League champions in a transaction valued at an initial £69 million.
In the last season, the 6ft 3in forward netted 22 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 matches for Eintracht Frankfurt.
A recent statistical analysis comparing him with Isak – for whom Arne Slot’s team was reportedly prepared to surpass the British transfer fee record – indicates that Ekitike’s comprehensive gameplay might be an even more suitable tactical match for Liverpool’s system.
Although some uncertainty may still persist, Messi’s enthusiastic commendation and unique nickname for Ekitike during their time at PSG should assist in alleviating any lingering concerns. As Liverpool continues to build a potential super team in anticipation of the 2025/26 season, with the warmth of last season’s achievements still felt, confidence in the club’s recruitment strategy surpasses even the ambitions themselves.
Ekitike departed from the Parc des Princes to join Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2024, having spent only 18 months and made 12 appearances in Ligue 1 for PSG. Ultimately, he was unable to displace Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Messi from the attacking lineup, which was not unexpected. Nevertheless, the France U23 international left a notable impression on Messi during training.According to L’Equipe in 2022, Messi developed a fondness for Ekitike while in Paris, affectionately referring to him as the “iron rod” due to his slender physique and surprisingly quick pace.
The French news outlet also reported that the Argentine international took on a mentorship role for the Reims academy graduate.
Below, you can view all of Ekitike’s goals from the 2024/25 season. The fact that a player of Messi’s caliber recognized Ekitike’s talent and sought to assist him in realizing his considerable potential indicates that Liverpool is making the right moves in their search for a new striker, especially after the unsuccessful attempts to maximize Darwin Nunez’s abilities.
Although Nunez has displayed moments of brilliance, he has squandered too many significant opportunities to justify continued investment.Ekitike now becomes part of a squad that has already been bolstered by the signings of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong. Furthermore, reports indicate that the club is actively considering a move for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
As per Fabrizio Romano, the Frenchman has always desired a transfer to Anfield, which appears to be the ideal environment for him to refine his skills.
An immediate impact may be essential, given that his teammates are more than capable of propelling the Reds to unprecedented success.