CDM 2026 / France - Paraguay: Rayan Cherki puts controversy to rest

30.06.26 FT World Cup

France

3

:

Sweden

0

With the round of 16 clash against Paraguay fast approaching, Rayan Cherki insists that the French squad heads into the next stage of the tournament with undiminished hunger, despite the controversy swirling around him.

The round of 16 against Paraguay is looming, and it's Rayan Cherki who has stepped up to deliver a message of collective focus. In a video shared on the official X account of Les Bleus, the Manchester City midfielder was eager to put any doubts about the team's mindset to rest ahead of this knockout encounter.

See also: Switzerland vs. Algeria: Channels, schedule and TV broadcast for the 2026 World Cup round of 32

"We’re hungry—ravenous, in fact"

Without mincing words, the Lyon academy product summed up the locker room atmosphere in a few punchy lines: "We’re hungry, we’re very, very hungry." Fully aware that the tournament has now entered its most ruthless phase, he emphasized the collective clarity under Didier Deschamps:

"We’re in the knockout rounds: the winner stays, the loser—enjoy your vacation," he said with a smile,

before concluding:

"People might not see it, but we’re hungry—ravenous, in fact."

This media appearance comes at a pivotal moment for Cherki. Just two days earlier, footage following the 3-0 victory over Sweden showed him looking away as Didier Deschamps approached for a handshake—an image that instantly went viral on social media. Limited to brief cameos since the start of the tournament, the 22-year-old midfielder seemed more frustrated with himself than with his manager. By speaking out on the French team’s official channels, he’s sending a clear message: it’s time to shift the focus back to the collective goal, on the eve of a match where there’s no room for complacency.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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