Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike reveals what he learned from Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in quest to become the best striker in the world
By Ben Southby
Published 12/03/2026 at 09:39 GMT
React to this story
Lionel Messi's Paris Saint-Germain spell can help to catapult Hugo Ekitike to stardom as the best striker in the world, the Liverpool forward believes. Speaking to TNT Sports' Owen Hargreaves, Ekitike admitted that he has learned a lot from his "difficult" time at PSG playing alongside Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. The 23-year-old has also heaped praise on Reds team-mate Florian Wirtz.
Ekitike: I can become one of world’s best strikers at Liverpool
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hugo Ekitike is leaning on the experience of playing with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar as he aims to become the best striker in the world.
The Liverpool forward has enjoyed a sparkling debut season in England since his summer arrival, reportedly worth £79 million, from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ekitike has scored 15 goals in 38 games across all competitions so far, while he has registered six assists.
His form has caught the eye of France boss Didier Deschamps, who handed the 23-year-old his international debut ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.
Things are progressing nicely for the forward, and speaking to TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves, Ekitike feels that he has the ability to become the best striker in the world.
"I think I can, I think I can," he insisted. "There's room for improvement, I have to work more, progress, but obviously I'm where I wanted to be, and I am here.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/11/image-60c479c8-ff86-463f-be8b-60eaaf4b3170-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Ekitike reveals ‘great things’ he learned from Messi, Neymar and Mbappe at PSG
Video credit: TNT Sports
"When I say I'm not scared of anything, it's like I don't fear pressure. People have expectations of me and I actually love that.
"It's exciting for me to be here, to play big games, to play in big competitions. I always wanted to be there and play in those types of games for such a big club."
A big part of Ekitike's development was playing alongside "the best player in the history of football" Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, while he also played with current Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe and Brazilian legend Neymar.
Although Ekitike found it hard to keep up with the iconic trio, he admitted that his experience playing and training alongside them was exactly "what I needed at that time".
"I can't lie, it was difficult for me to go on the pitch and be able to do what they were doing on the same level," he told TNT Sports.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/11/image-677fb263-7b83-4349-9862-aa5506ad8729.jpeg)
Neymar, Ekitike and Messi playing for PSG.
Image credit: Getty Images
"I think I've never reached that level yet. It was about learning on the pitch, training, I saw a lot of great things.
It's not even just skills, I learned how to move without the ball, how I touch the ball, how I score goals, confidence in the game.
"When I look back, it wasn't a great time for me [at PSG] but I think that's what I needed at that time. I learned so much, I'm so grateful to have been there with such good players.
"It's a great picture I can put in my house because I played with the best player in the history of football. It was nice."
- Konate disallowed goal 'should have been awarded' for Liverpool - McManaman
- How many English clubs can qualify for UEFA competitions next season?
- Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid doubters expected us to 'get battered'
Ekitike: Wirtz helps me to 'shine'
Ekitike now links up with Florian Wirtz at Liverpool, who arrived alongside the Frenchman in a blockbuster summer transfer window for the club.
Germany star Wirtz moved to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth a reported £116m, as Liverpool committed to a then-record British transfer fee.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/11/image-93d843e6-71c5-4467-aa5d-86423ad74038-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘He can make you shine’ – Ekitike on Wirtz's ability to ‘make things easy’ for team-mates
Video credit: TNT Sports
The 22-year-old struggled to begin with, but slowly began to find his feet in the Premier League under Arne Slot and is now enjoying his football, having registered 13 goal contributions.
"In this team, I think he's the player I like to play with the most," Ekitike said of his team-mate.
"I like the other players as well, but when you play as a striker and you have a No. 10 that understands football so much and wants to play the same football as you, it makes things easy.
"I told him that if we play together, we're going to do great things. If he gives me the ball, I give it back and things will happen.
"I enjoy playing with him so much, and I know he's a player who can give me so many assists throughout the season. That's good to have a player on this on your side that can make you shine."
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement