The good news keeps coming for Hugo Ekitike at the start of the season. Author of convincing performances with Frankfurt since the restart – three goals and two offerings in three games -, the former PSG striker (22 years old) was called up this Thursday by Gérald Baticle. The new coach of the Bleuets, who succeeds Thierry Henry, called Ekitike because of the withdrawal of Arnaud Kalimuendo.
During this international window, the French Espoirs team will play against Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina on September 6 and 10. These two matches will be played as part of the Euro Espoirs 2025 qualifiers.
France is currently 2nd in the group, behind the Slovenians. Although the competition is reserved for players aged 21 and under, UEFA regulations stipulate that the competition began in the qualifying phase, in March 2023. Each player who was not over 21 at that date is therefore eligible for selection. Hugo Ekitike’s selection thus falls into this scenario, he who was born in June 2002.
This is his second appearance in the group after November 2021 where he did not come into play.
The Bleuets are starting a new cycle after their silver medal at the Olympic Games (5-3 defeat ap against Spain). On August 19, 2024, the FFF announced the departure of Thierry Henry “for reasons that are personal to him”.
Appearing very close and complicit with his players during the Parisian fortnight, he will have directed a total of 17 matches between the Espoirs (6) and the French Olympic team (11) for a more than honorable record of 12 victories, 2 draws and 3 defeats.