Hugo Ekitike faces World Cup doubt after serious injury in PSG defeat

April 16, 2026 Oliver Obel

Liverpool’s elimination from the Champions League in Paris may ultimately be overshadowed by growing concern over Hugo Ekitike, whose night ended in distress long before the final whistle.

While Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 win on April 14 to complete a comfortable aggregate victory, the most worrying moment for Liverpool came midway through the first half, when Ekitike collapsed off the ball with what appeared to be a serious Achilles problem.

The 22-year-old striker went down without contact after roughly 30 minutes, immediately grabbing his lower leg. Medical staff rushed on, and he was stretchered off before being replaced by Mohamed Salah, leaving teammates visibly shaken.

Slot: “It didn’t look good”

Speaking after the match, head coach Arne Slot gave a candid initial assessment but stopped short of confirming the severity.

“It didn’t look good,” he told Amazon Prime Video. “We all saw that. But we have to wait for the diagnosis.”

Slot added that he had not yet spoken to the player after the incident, explaining: “He left during the second half, so I haven’t seen him yet.”

The Dutch manager also pointed to the broader toll of injuries on his squad this season, noting that losing another key player compounds an already difficult campaign. “It’s hard enough to lose a game like this,” he said, “but potentially losing a player at this stage makes it even tougher especially for him personally.”

Uncertainty over severity

Early reports from France have offered mixed signals about the extent of the damage.

Canal+ presenter Hervé Mathoux suggested citing information from the player’s family that while a full rupture may not be confirmed, Ekitike could still miss the remainder of the season. However, the broadcaster later clarified that no definitive diagnosis has been made and that further medical tests are required.

French newspaper L’Equipe struck a more pessimistic tone, indicating that the nature of the fall strongly suggests a significant Achilles injury. The outlet reported that a return in time for the 2026 World Cup would be highly unlikely if a rupture is confirmed.

A potentially long recovery

Achilles injuries are among the most serious in football, often requiring months of rehabilitation even in less severe cases. A full rupture can sideline players for the better part of a year, raising immediate concerns not just for Liverpool’s run-in, but also for Ekitike’s international ambitions.

The striker has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers this season, registering 17 goals and six assists in 45 appearances following his move from Eintracht Frankfurt. That form had placed him firmly in contention for Didier Deschamps’ France squad ahead of the next World Cup.

Focus shifts beyond the result

Liverpool now turn their attention to a domestic clash against Everton on April 19, but the result in Paris has quickly become secondary. The club and the player await clarity on an injury that could have far-reaching consequences.

Sources: Amazon Prime Video, Canal+, L’Equipe