The rising star of French football, Rayan Cherki, continues to capture attention with his exceptional talent. Here are ten fascinating facts about the newly signed Manchester City prodigy that might surprise you.
Manchester City announced the arrival of Rayan Cherki a few days ago, right in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, which went underway over the weekend.
Here, in honour of the attainment of Cherki by the Cityzens, we take a look at some interesting facts about the player.
1. Multicultural Heritage: Born in Lyon, France, Cherki boasts a rich cultural background with both Algerian and Italian ancestry. This diverse heritage has played a significant role in shaping his identity both on and off the pitch.
2. Football in the Family: Following in his father's footsteps, Rayan's journey in football began early. His father, Fabrice Cherki, was an amateur footballer who played for local clubs including FC Vaulx-en-Velin and AS Buers-Villeurbanne.
3. Early Academy Start: Cherki's formal football journey began at AS Saint-Priest in 2009, before he joined the prestigious Olympique Lyonnais Academy just a year later in 2010. This early exposure to professional training has been crucial to his development.
4. Record-Breaking Youth Achievement: On September 19, 2018, Cherki made history by becoming the youngest-ever scorer in the UEFA Youth League at just 15 years and 33 days old, netting against Manchester City in a 4-1 victory.
5. Ambidextrous Talent: One of Cherki's most remarkable attributes is his ability to use both feet effectively, a rare skill that adds significant versatility to his attacking prowess.
6. Local Lyon Product: Growing up in Lyon's multicultural environment, Cherki represents the success of the club's formidable local scouting network, which identified and nurtured his talent from an early age.
7. Rapid Rise Through Ranks: His progression through Lyon's academy was marked by exceptional performances, leading to an early breakthrough into the senior team, showcasing his extraordinary potential.
8. Technical Mastery: Cherki is renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills, vision, and goal-scoring ability, traits that were evident even during his academy days.
9. Youth International: His talents have been recognised at the international level, where he has represented France at various youth levels, demonstrating his potential on the global stage.
10. Academy Legacy: Cherki joins a prestigious list of players who have emerged from Lyon's acclaimed academy system, known for producing some of France's finest football talents.
These unique aspects of Cherki's journey and abilities highlight why he's considered one of football's most exciting young prospects.
He joined Manchester City just last week and will be looking to play his first games for the Sky Blues when they start their FIFA Club World Cup fixtures in the coming days.