Hugo Ekitike end goal speaks volumes about his Liverpool aspirations - and Lionel Messi's role

Hugo Ekitike has scored 16 goals in his debut Liverpool season and the French striker believes he can become one of the world's best after learning from Lionel Messi at PSG

Hugo Ekitike learned plenty from Lionel Messi(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

Hugo Ekitike is confident he possesses the qualities required to be recognized as one of the world's elite strikers at Liverpool, revealing what he gleaned from playing alongside the legendary Lionel Messi.

Ekitike has made an impressive first season for the Reds following his £79M ($105.4M) transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in July, notching 16 goals in all competitions, with 11 of those coming in the Premier League.

The France international spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain and lined up alongside Argentina international Messi, who has claimed a record eight Ballon d'Or awards during an illustrious career in which he became widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

That assessment is echoed by Messi's former PSG colleague Ekitike, who says he absorbed valuable lessons from observing the ex-Barcelona striker up close. And speaking to former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves for TNT Sport, the Reds' No. 22 says he has all the attributes to become one of the planet's most lethal forwards at Liverpool.

"I think I can [be one of the world's best strikers]," he says. "I think I can, there's like room for improvement, I have to work more and progress but obviously like I am where I want to be.

"I am here and when I say I am not scared of anything, I don't fear pressure or people having expectations of me. I actually love that, to be here, playing games, being involved in big competitions, I always wanted to be there and playing those kinds of games, being at such a big club. So that is why I said [I have no fear] and I still feel the same."

Reflecting on sharing the pitch with Messi, Ekitike admits: "It was difficult for me to go on the pitch and do what Leo was doing on the same level. I have never reached that level, not even yet.

Lionel Messi and Hugo Ekitike crossed paths at PSG

"So it was about learning, training on the pitch, I saw a lot of great things. Not even skills, I learned how to move without the ball, how to touch the ball, how to score goals and gain confidence in games.

"Obviously when I look back [at PSG], it was not a great time for me but it was what I needed at that time. I learned so much, honestly I am so grateful to have been there with such great players and when I look back there is a great picture that I can put in my house because I played with the best player in the world, in the history of football. So it is nice, it is great."

Ekitike has developed a promising partnership with fellow summer arrival Florian Wirtz at Anfield, and the Frenchman reveals he is relishing playing alongside the creative midfielder. "I mean, like, in this team he is the player I enjoy playing with the most," Ekitike says.

"I appreciate the other players as well but obviously as a striker you have a No.10 that understands football so much and actually wants to play the same style of football as you, it simplifies things.

"I always tell him that if we play together we are going to achieve great things and if he passes me the ball, I'll return it and great things will occur. I relish playing with him so much and I know that he's the type of player who can provide numerous assists during a season.

"So it's beneficial to have a player like this on your side who can truly make you stand out. I am precisely where I aspire to be, participating in major competitions, at a big club, with top-tier players. It's genuinely thrilling and the potential for us to achieve greatness is there, and hopefully, we'll realise it.

"We need to find consistency and perform well when it matters because football is about seizing the moment, so it's really exciting. I am eagerly anticipating winning this competition, hopefully."