Hugo Ekitike Walks Toward Return After Achilles Injury
**Hugo Ekitike** took his first unaided steps on 10 Jul 2026, marking a tangible milestone in the recovery from the Achilles rupture he suffered on 15 Apr 2026 while playing for Liverpool.
The French striker slipped on Anfield’s turf during a Champions League tie against Paris Saint‑Germain, felt a pop and immediately required surgery. The injury forced him out of Liverpool’s season run‑in and erased his chance to join France’s World Cup squad in North America. Dr Martin O’Malley of New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery consulted on the operation, a procedure known to keep athletes sidelined for up to twelve months.
Ekitike’s £69 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool last summer raised expectations of a starring role in both club and country. Before the injury he had featured in every France match under Didier Deschamps and was tipped to add firepower to a forward line that already includes Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Missing the World Cup means he watches from the sidelines as France edges toward the final, a psychological blow that could shape his comeback mindset.
Physiotherapist Berengar Buschmann posted a short clip on Instagram showing the 24‑year‑old walking naturally in a California rehab centre. The caption noted that removing the boot and regaining a natural gait are “milestones” in a painstaking process. Buschmann emphasized a “criteria‑based” approach, meaning each step is measured against medical targets. No official return date has been announced, but the visible gait improvement suggests the timeline could be shorter than the typical twelve‑month window.
Liverpool’s medical team will continue to monitor load, strength and flexibility before clearing Ekitike for full training. Manager Jürgen Klopp has not set a definitive deadline, but the club hopes the striker can contribute to the final league fixtures and possibly the Europa League knockout stage. On the international front, France will finish the World Cup without him, but the 2030 tournament in Spain, Portugal and Morocco offers a realistic chance for a 29‑year‑old Ekitike to feature, keeping his long‑term ambitions alive.
Transfermarkt lists Barcelona forward Fermin López as the only player with a higher market value than Ekitike to miss the World Cup through injury. Both cases highlight how high‑profile setbacks can dominate headlines, yet each recovery path is unique. While López’s injury was a hamstring strain, Ekitike’s Achilles rupture is historically tougher to overcome, making his recent walking milestone especially noteworthy.
Liverpool’s title chase suffered a blow when Ekitike’s injury coincided with a Champions League defeat to PSG. The club now relies on Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and new signing Cody Gakpo to fill the void. Should Ekitike return before season’s end, he could provide a fresh attacking option for the final push, adding depth that Klopp values highly.
Ekitike’s journey underscores the thin line between elite performance and injury risk. Every progression, from boot removal to natural gait, is a step toward re‑joining Liverpool’s front line and reclaiming his place in the French squad. The next few months will reveal whether his optimism translates into a full‑match comeback.