Rayan Cherki made his Lyon debut at 16 and quickly became one of French football’s most watched talents. He is genuinely two-footed, capable of shooting or crossing with either foot, and plays with a flair that made him a crowd favourite at the Groupama Stadium.
His development was not linear: for several seasons he was used mainly off the bench while Lyon tried to add consistency to his game. That changed in 2024/25, when he became one of the most creative players in Ligue 1 and earned his first senior caps for France.
Manchester City signed him in 2025. Playing between the lines as a No. 10 or from the right, Cherki gives City a player who can create a chance out of very little.
Playing style
Cherki is one of the most technically gifted players of his generation. He is genuinely two-footed, so defenders cannot show him onto a weaker side, and he can shoot, cross or dribble with either foot. He loves to receive between the lines, turn and run at the defence, and his vision allows him to find through passes that others do not see. For years the question was consistency, but in his final season at Lyon he combined flair with regular goals and assists. He is also an accomplished set-piece taker.
International career
Cherki represented France at youth level, including at the European Under-21 Championship. He made his senior France debut in 2025, and his performances since have made him a strong contender for a place in Didier Deschamps’ attacking line.
Career in numbers
Cherki’s senior club career, which began in 2019/20, has so far brought 249 appearances and 44 goals for 2 clubs. His most productive season in front of goal was 2024/25, when he scored 13 times in 48 games for Lyon and Manchester City. His busiest campaign was 2025/26, with 52 appearances. So far in 2026/27 he has 4 goals in 8 appearances for Manchester City. The full season-by-season record is in the Stats section of this profile.