Rayan Cherki has set his sights on a singular goal: wearing the coveted number 10 jersey for the French national team.
The 21-year-old Lyon midfielder, of both French and Algerian heritage, has made clear that representing Les Bleus at senior level in the iconic shirt is the ultimate dream driving his ambition.
Though his future at club level remains uncertain, with speculation continuing to swirl around a potential transfer from Olympique Lyonnais, Cherki appears to have full clarity when it comes to his personal aspirations.
According to those close to him, the French Under-21 international is fixated not on his next club move or any national team switch, but on earning a call-up to Didier Deschamps’ senior squad and eventually claiming its most symbolic number.
Cherki’s performances for Lyon have been a mixture of brilliance and inconsistency this season, a pattern that has both intrigued and divided supporters and pundits alike.
His technical skill and flair have never been in doubt, yet questions around consistency and tactical discipline continue to accompany his progress.
Nevertheless, those around him remain convinced that he has both the potential and the determination to reach the very top.
A source close to the player, reportedly based in the United States, has revealed that the number 10 jersey for France has become something of an obsession for Cherki.
It is a dream that has been nurtured for years and now stands as his primary goal. The number, famously worn by legends such as Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane, represents more than just a shirt. It symbolises creativity, leadership, and footballing genius at the heart of the French team.
Despite his youth, Cherki has yet to receive a call-up to France’s senior squad, a fact that many find surprising given the flashes of talent he has displayed at club level. Still, he remains a regular fixture in France’s U21 setup and continues to be monitored by Deschamps and his coaching staff.
With France boasting a wealth of midfield talent, competition for places is fierce but Cherki’s supporters believe it is only a matter of time before he breaks through.
His current situation at Lyon adds an additional layer of intrigue. With the club undergoing changes both on and off the pitch, his long-term role at OL is unclear.
Reports of interest from other European clubs have surfaced. Yet for Cherki, the noise surrounding his club future appears secondary to his national team ambitions.
Whether he remains in Ligue 1 or moves abroad, the objective remains unchanged.
What stands out is not just the ambition itself, but the clarity and confidence with which it is pursued. At 21, Cherki is at a pivotal point in his career.
No longer just a prodigy, he is now a player expected to deliver. And for him, the path forward is illuminated by a single vision: pulling on the blue jersey of France with the number 10 emblazoned on his back.
Whether that dream is realised in the near future or further down the line, one thing is certain. Rayan Cherki’s ambition is clear, bold and firmly rooted in the colours of France.
