Cherki scores and shows wit after France's loss to Ivory Coast

France lost 1-2 to Ivory Coast on Thursday evening at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes in a 2026 World Cup warm-up match. Rayan Cherki, author of France’s only goal, was the main bright spot for the Blues in an evening dominated by an Ivory Coast side that was clinical in front of Mike Maignan.

Restless, provocative and constantly available, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder was one of the rare highlights of a France team in difficulty. His performance stood out from the rest of a collective that struggled to trouble Ivory Coast’s defence.

At the microphone after the final whistle, Cherki refused to dramatise the defeat. « It’s a little wake-up call that keeps us well focused. We won’t go to the World Cup as favourites, but to crush everyone, » he said, blending lucidity and ambition.

The former Lyon player, now at Manchester City, also addressed the official photo taken at Clairefontaine on Tuesday in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron and Sports Minister Marina Ferrari. His slightly hunched posture in the shot had sparked numerous reactions on social media. « It’s a matter of respect, » he explained. « I was next to the Minister and I didn’t see myself being above her or being seen more than her. So naturally, I bent down a bit so she could be seen a bit more. »

Facing journalists attempting to tease him about the episode, Cherki concluded with the same aplomb: « If you want, I can start making jokes about you, it’ll be quick and it’ll make all of France laugh. You want to mock me but I’m a very good comedian. »

The defeat remains a warning signal for Didier Deschamps a few months before the World Cup, but Cherki seems to have already moved on.