Cameroon coach Marc Brys criticises Hugo Ekitike over France allegiance

Cameroon national team coach Marc Brys has strongly criticised Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike for prioritising a future with France over representing the Indomitable Lions.

Ekitike, who has impressed early in his Premier League career with three goals and an assist in his first three matches for Liverpool, was left out of Didier Deschamps’ squad for the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Despite his form, the French coach opted not to call up the 23-year-old striker, leaving questions over his international future.

Speculation has persisted over whether Ekitike, who was born in France to Cameroonian parents, might reconsider representing Cameroon after being repeatedly overlooked by France.

However, Brys made it clear during a press conference on Friday that the door is closed for the forward.

“I haven’t contacted him,” Brys said firmly. “He put all his money on trying to play for France and it didn’t work. Now he wants Cameroon as a second choice.

I don’t need to be the second choice. We have players who play with heart. I don’t need a star. He doesn’t deserve to come here.”

The remarks reflect ongoing tension between dual-nationality players and federations competing for their allegiance. Ekitike, who came through the ranks at Reims before spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Eintracht Frankfurt, has long expressed his desire to play for France and has never publicly entertained switching to Cameroon.

Earlier this summer, when reports suggested he might consider playing for the Indomitable Lions if France continued to ignore him, Ekitike dismissed the rumours outright. “I never discussed national team choices. I categorically deny what has been reported,” he said at the time.

Brys, who took charge of Cameroon earlier this year, has been vocal about his commitment to building a squad of players fully dedicated to the national cause, regardless of their club status. His latest comments underline his stance on loyalty and national team commitment.

Ekitike’s club career has been on an upward trajectory since joining Liverpool, where he has quickly established himself as an attacking threat under manager Ruben Amorim. However, his wait for a senior France call-up continues, despite his form and potential.

For Cameroon, the focus remains on players who have already pledged their allegiance, with Brys announcing his latest squad on Friday ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.

Ekitike’s future at international level remains uncertain, but Brys’ blunt remarks suggest a return to his parents’ homeland is not part of the striker’s plans—or Cameroon’s.

???? Marc Brys sur Hugo Ekitike :

« Je n’ai pas pris contact avec lui. Il a mis tout son argent pour essayer de jouer pour la France et il n’a pas réussi. Et maintenant, nous le Cameroun, nous sommes le deuxième choix. Je n’ai pas besoin d’être le deuxième choix. On a de bons… pic.twitter.com/GjkOHdIB4i

— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) August 29, 2025