{"id":25725,"date":"2026-03-12T10:32:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:32:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/liverpools-hugo-ekitike-reveals-what-he-learned-from-lionel-messi-kylian-mbappe-and-neymar-in-his-quest-to-become-the-worlds-best-striker\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:32:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:32:30","slug":"liverpools-hugo-ekitike-reveals-what-he-learned-from-lionel-messi-kylian-mbappe-and-neymar-in-his-quest-to-become-the-worlds-best-striker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/liverpools-hugo-ekitike-reveals-what-he-learned-from-lionel-messi-kylian-mbappe-and-neymar-in-his-quest-to-become-the-worlds-best-striker\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike reveals what he learned from Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in his quest to become the world’s best striker"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Ekitike: Become one of the best strikers in the world with Liverpool<\/p>\n

Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Hugo Ekitike aims to become the world’s best striker, relying on his experience playing with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.<\/div>\n

The Liverpool forward has enjoyed a brilliant debut season in England since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer in a deal valued at \u00a379m. <\/p>\n

Ekitike has scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 38 games so far.<\/p>\n

His form caught the attention of French manager Didier Deschamps, who gave the 23-year-old his international debut ahead of this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n

Things are going well for the forward and speaking to TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves, Ekitike feels he has the ability to become the best striker in the world.<\/p>\n

“I think I can, I think I can,” he insisted. \u201cThere is room for improvement and I have to work harder and progress, but obviously I am where I wanted to be and here I am.<\/p>\n

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Ekitike reveals ‘great things’ he learned from Messi, Neymar and Mbappe at PSG<\/p>\n

Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“When I say I’m not afraid of anything, it’s like I’m not afraid of pressure. People have expectations of me and I actually love it. <\/p>\n

“For me, it’s very exciting to come here and play a big game, a big tournament. I always wanted to be there and play in a game like this for a big club.”<\/p>\n

A big part of Ekitike’s development was playing alongside “the greatest player in the history of football” Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, as well as current Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and Brazilian legend Neymar.<\/p>\n

Although Ekitike found it difficult to keep up with the iconic trio, he admitted that the experience of playing and training with them was “exactly what I needed at the time”.<\/p>\n

“I can’t lie, it was difficult to get on the pitch and do what they are doing at the same level,” he told TNT Sports.<\/p>\n

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Neymar, Ekitike and Messi playing for PSG. <\/p>\n

Image credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“I don’t think I’ve reached that level yet. It was about learning, training and seeing a lot of great things on the pitch. <\/p>\n

It wasn’t just skills; I learned how to move without the ball, how to touch the ball, how to score goals, and confidence in the game.<\/p>\n

“Looking back, it wasn’t a great time for me[at PSG]but I think that’s what I needed at the time. I learned a lot and I’m very grateful to be with such great players.” <\/p>\n

“It’s a great picture to hang in the house because I played with some of the greatest players in the history of soccer. It was great.”<\/p>\n

Ekitike: Worts help me \u201cshine\u201d<\/h2>\n

Ekitike is currently linked with Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, who together with the Frenchman became a big hit for the club in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

German star Wirtz moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield in a deal reportedly worth \u00a3116 million, as Liverpool promised the biggest transfer fee in English history at the time.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe can make you shine\u201d \u2013 Ekitique on Wirtz\u2019s ability to \u201cmake things easier\u201d for his teammates.<\/p>\n

Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The 22-year-old struggled at first, but gradually started to find his footing in the Premier League under manager Arne Slott and is now enjoying his football, contributing 13 goals.<\/p>\n

“I think he’s the player I want to play with the most on this team,” Ekitike said of his teammate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like the other players too, but when you play as a striker and you have a number 10 who understands football very well and wants to play the same football as you, it makes things easier. <\/p>\n

\u201cI told him that if we played together we could do great things. I said if he gives me the ball, I give it back and something will happen. <\/p>\n

“I really enjoy playing with him and I know he’s a player who will give me a lot of assists throughout the season. It’s great to have a player on your side who can make you shine.”<\/p>\n

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and Discovery+<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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