Everything You Wanted to Know About Rayan Cherki

BIOGRAPHY

Mathis Rayan Cherki is a French attacking midfielder and winger who plays for Manchester City and the France national team.

A product of Lyon’s academy, which he joined at the age of seven. At just 15, he began playing for the club’s reserve team in Championnat National 2 and was considered one of the most talented academy graduates in its history.

Lyon (2019–2025)

In July 2019, he signed his first professional contract.

He made his Ligue 1 debut on 19 October 2019 in a match against Dijon.

In January 2020, he became the youngest goalscorer in Lyon’s first-team history (16 years and 140 days), scoring in the Coupe de France. In the same tournament, he recorded a brace and two assists in a match against Nantes.

In August 2020, he became the youngest player in history to appear in a UEFA Champions League semi-final (against Bayern Munich).

On 2 May 2021, he scored his first Ligue 1 goal — the winning goal against Monaco.

In September 2024, he extended his contract with Lyon until 2027 (with an option to extend). In the 2024–25 season, he became Ligue 1’s top assist provider (11 assists), was named in the UNFP Team of the Season, and received the inaugural “Best Dribbler of the Year” award in the French championship.

In the same season’s UEFA Europa League, he delivered 8 assists (the best total in the competition), helped Lyon reach the quarter-finals, and was named the tournament’s Best Young Player.

Manchester City (since 2025)

On 10 June 2025, he joined Manchester City, signing a five-year contract (approximately €36.5 million plus bonuses).

On 22 June 2025, he scored his first goal for the club in a FIFA Club World Cup match.

In August, he received the number 10 shirt following Jack Grealish’s departure.

He scored in his Premier League debut match against Wolverhampton.

He recorded a goal and an assist in the EFL Cup against Swansea.

He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for City in a match against Borussia Dortmund.

International Career

Cherki was eligible to represent France, Algeria, or Italy (through his parents’ heritage) but chose France. He played for France’s youth national teams.

In 2024, he was included in France’s Olympic squad for the Paris Games — the team won silver medals. After the tournament, he was awarded the Order of Merit.

He made his senior France debut on 5 June 2025 in the UEFA Nations League semi-final against Spain — scoring a goal and providing an assist in his very first match. Three days later, he started against Germany.

PERSONAL LIFE

He was born in Lyon into a family with Algerian and Italian roots. His father, Fabrice Amsellem, has Algerian-Italian Jewish heritage, while his mother, Abla Cherki, is of Algerian origin (from Biskra).

Cherki is the third of five brothers. His family played a key role in his development: his mother was actively involved in managing his career and accompanied him in important decisions.

His father played amateur football, which influenced his son’s early interest in the game.

He is known for his strong character and high self-confidence. He does not hide his ambitions and emphasizes that he lives for football and for the spectacle of the game.

He regularly re-watches his own matches, analyzing his actions to improve himself.

INTERESTING FACTS

• The youngest player in UEFA Champions League history to appear in a semi-final.
• At 16, he set Lyon’s record as the youngest goalscorer for the first team.
• In the 2024–25 season, he simultaneously became the top assist provider in both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League.
• The first-ever recipient of the “Best Dribbler of the Year” award in the French championship.
• After winning Olympic silver, he was awarded a French state order.
• He received the iconic number 10 shirt at Manchester City in his very first season after the transfer.
• He is known for his high-risk, creative style of play, which makes him regarded as both a genius and a provocative footballer.