Rayan Cherki

Mathis Rayan Cherki (born 17 August 2003) is a French professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for club Manchester City and the France national team.

Early life Mathis Rayan Cherki was born on 17 August 2003 in Lyon, France and is of Algerian and Italian descent. His father, Fabrice, has Algerian-Jewish and Italian roots traced back to Bari, and his mother, Abla, is of Algerian descent, with her roots traced back to Biskra.

Club career Lyon Cherki is a product of the youth academy of Lyon, and is considered one of their best-ever prospects. He began playing with their reserve side in the Championnat National 2 at the age of 15. On 7 July 2019, Cherki signed his first professional contract with Lyon until 2022. He made his professional debut in a 0–0 Ligue 1 draw against Dijon on 19 October 2019. After scoring four goals in the 2019–20 UEFA Youth League, he made his senior European debut on 27 November 2019 in a Champions League group stage game against Zenit Saint Petersburg, aged 16 years and 102 days, in which he substituted Maxwel Cornet in the 74th minute of a 2–0 loss.

On 4 January 2020, Cherki scored his first senior goal as a substitute in a 7–0 win over Bourg-en-Bresse in the Coupe de France, becoming the youngest-ever player to score a senior goal for Lyon, aged 16 years and 140 days. On 18 January, he was involved in all four of Lyon's goals in a 4–3 win over Nantes in another Coupe de France match; he scored a brace, and assisted the other two goals. On 19 August, Cherki was subbed on in a UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich. In doing so, he became the youngest-ever player to feature in a Champions League semi-final. Lyon were knocked out of the competition in that match, losing 3–0 to the eventual winners.

Cherki scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a 3–2 win over Monaco on 2 May 2021. His goal secured the victory for Lyon in the final minutes of the match.

In September 2024, Cherki extended his stay with the club until 2027. The extension included an optional year, which would be automatically activated if he was still under contract with Lyon on 1 September 2025. Following the contract extension, Cherki emerged as a standout player for Lyon, finishing as the league’s top assist provider with 11, and earning him a place in the UNFP Team of the Year. He was also given the inaugural Ligue 1 Dribbler of the Year award. In the UEFA Europa League, Cherki delivered eight assists, making him the competition’s top assist provider and playing a key role in helping Lyon reach the quarter-finals. His performances were further recognized with the competition's Young Player of the Season award and a place in the Team of the Season.

Manchester City On 10 June 2025, Premier League club Manchester City announced the signing of Cherki on a five-year contract for a reported initial fee of €36.5m, a potential €6m in add-ons, and a 15% sell-on clause. On 22 June, he scored his first goal for the club in a 6–0 FIFA Club World Cup group stage victory against Al Ain. On 14 August, after Jack Grealish's departure on loan to Everton, Cherki was given the number 10 shirt. On 16 August, Cherki scored on his Premier League debut for City after coming on as a substitute for Erling Haaland in a 4–0 away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their season opener. On 29 October, Cherki registered a goal and an assist on his EFL Cup debut in a 3–1 away victory over EFL Championship side Swansea City in the fourth round. On 5 November, Cherki scored his first Champions League goal in a 4–1 home league phase victory over Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

On 28 August 2026, Cherki scored twice in a 4–1 away win against Crystal Palace.

International career

Youth Cherki is eligible to play for either France, Algeria, or Italy – the latter two due to his parents' origin. He played for the France national under-16 team twice in 2018, both of which were friendly matches against Denmark.

In 2024, Cherki was named in France U23's squad for the Olympic Games hosted in France. He appeared in three games during the tournament, starting in the last group stage game against New Zealand, and then appeared as a substitute in the semi-final game against Egypt, and then in the final against Spain, as France won the silver medal. Being an Olympic medalist, Cherki was awarded the Knight of the National Order of Merit.

Senior

Cherki debuted for the French senior squad on 5 June 2025, scoring and assisting in a 5–4 loss against Spain in the Nations League semi-finals. Three days later, on 9 June, he earned his first start in a 2–0 victory against Germany in the same tournament.

On 14 May 2026, Cherki was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life Cherki is a Muslim.

Career statistics Club

International

France score listed first, score column indicates score after each Cherki goal

Honours Lyon Coupe de France runner-up: 2023–24 Coupe de la Ligue runner-up: 2019–20

Manchester City FA Cup: 2025–26 EFL Cup: 2025–26

France Olympic Summer Olympics silver medal: 2024

France UEFA Nations League third place: 2024–25

Individual UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2024–25 Ligue 1 top assist provider: 2024–25 Ligue 1 Dribbler of the Year: 2024–25 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2024–25 UEFA Europa League top assist provider: 2024–25 UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season: 2024–25 UEFA Nations League Finals Goal of the Tournament: 2025 PFA Team of the Year: 2025–26 Premier League

Orders