‘I like to be famous but unknown’ – Ekitike in his own words

The Football Interview is a new series in which the biggest names in sport and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for bold and in-depth conversations about the nation’s favourite sport.

We’ll talk about defining moments, career highs, and personal reflections, as well as motivation and mindset. The player behind the player is revealed in the football interview.

Hugo Ekitike has certainly had an impact since joining Liverpool, scoring five goals in his first ten appearances.

The Frenchman has settled straight into life in the Premier League after a £69m summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 23-year-old made his first appearance at Reims, where he first started his career, followed by a brief stint with Vejle Boldklub in Denmark before signing for Paris St-Germain, first on loan, then on a longer-term deal.

Although things didn’t go his way in the French capital, Ekitike’s career began with a move to Frankfurt.

There he scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season.

Hugo Ekitike: Shy. Very shy . This has been altered by me. Nice, same as now. and devoted to football.

Kelly: When did football start or has it ever been in your life?

Hugo: I think football is just my whole life. I started out playing football. Most of the time, football is what I talk to my brothers, even in the middle of the night. That is just my passion and I just love what I do. Since I was a young child, it has been the only thing on my mind at the moment.

Kelly, you just mentioned your brothers. Do you remember playing football with your brothers?

Hugo: They are not good at football! We all enjoy playing football, but I’ve always been outside playing on the sidelines. I can recall playing at school as well. I kind of played it everywhere when I was young – that is my memories of football.

Kelly, when did you realize you could play football differently than your brothers?

Hugo: My cousin and my brothers both played football. They were playing for fun in teams and stuff but they didn’t reach the top level. However, my family and I both have a passion for football. They live the dream through me, but it didn’t work out for them.

Kelly: Have you always been a forward?

Hugo: I’ve always played offensively. I was a winger when I was younger, but when I was older, I grew, and I’m now too long! That is why I went in the middle – a centre-forward.

Kelly, Too long a sentence? You can’t be a striker for too long, in my opinion.

Hugo: Not too long, but obviously I am tall. I believe that Cody [Gakpo] is the only tall winger I know.

Kelly, do you recall the name of the first team you played for and the results you can attest from that team?

Hugo: Cormontreuil. I recall that my neighborhood club was nearby, so it wasn’t very important. No warm-up or warm-up was required; we simply went on the pitch and played games. I was very young. I began learning the fundamentals when I was four and a half, which was when I first started. To have fun, I played football. It was not serious. There were enjoyable times.

Kelly, who has influenced you or had the biggest impact on your career, like a coach?

Hugo: When I was 14, I was playing in the Reims academy and I was bad. I had a terrible attitude. I recall having numerous dreaming on the pitch. I had quality but I was dreaming too much – a sleeping player.

My parents and I made an appointment. They assured me that if that were to occur at the end of the season, it would be.

Kelly: You would be released?

Hugo, yes. Then, I was certain that it would never occur. In my mind, I wanted to be the best. I was fantastic when I returned. There was a turning point, and it focused me. I had other turning points later but that was the first one in my life.

Kelly, what other turning points did you experience? You’re only 23 years old and have played in four nations.

Hugo: When I went to Denmark, I was on the bench – I didn’t play. Because of my desire to demonstrate my competence, that was the turning point. I was the first striker on the list when I returned to Reims. They wanted me to go on loan but I showed in pre-season that I could play. That was a turning point. My entire life was made of it.

Kelly: Your time at PSG – how much has that shaped who you are today?

Hugo: My life’s biggest turning point is becoming a good player. That was my first experience with failure. It was probably half-time and it set me to be more tough in the head. Since moving to Paris, I’ve been different. I’m a much better person and player overall. I have changed so much.

Kelly: How has the current season gone at Liverpool?

Hugo: I had the impression that I was proud at first. To come here when I know where I come from. I am aware that football is a moment-only sport where you can go up and down straight. I make a conscious effort to always be prepared, work hard, improve myself, help the team succeed, and contribute to its success to the fullest extent possible by winning and trophies.

Kelly: What is it like playing with Mohamed Salah?

Hugo: Absolutely fantastic. Mo is a really cool guy who is open to me and friendly to talk to. He is great to play with. He is a really good athlete, and I watched him score the goals and other things on TV. You can learn from him and only improve yourself. It is good to share the pitch with him and I hope we are going to score lots of goals and bring some wins to the team together.

What is Kelly like outside of the game?

Kelly: What are your memories from your childhood?

Hugo: My mother and I were closer together. My mother and my little brother and I spent a lot of time together. It was just football. I was playing football while attending school. everywhere .

Kelly: I saw a video of your brothers and friends when you scored your first Liverpool goal.

Hugo: I recall that my friend was present, but it was too much; I dislike that kind of video. But it was nice that they were with me when I was in Paris. I have the same people there when I have success and when I don’t have success, and I think they are very proud of me and I think in time they are going to be good memories to see on video. They’ll probably be a part of many more goals.

Kelly, you stated in the comments that you disliked that kind of video. Are you quite a private person?

Hugo: I display this to the public if it’s me. I am aware of the difficulties associated with playing football for Liverpool because you are more well-known, but I don’t want people to know about my private life. I like to be famous but unknown. People are unsure of what I do when I’m at home, when I’m at my computer, or when I’m not talking to my brother.

Kelly, what do you do when you don’t play football on a typical day?

Hugo: One day off or two days off?

Kelly: You get what you want. Do you frequently take two days off at Liverpool?

Hugo: Not often, but if it happens I go to Paris to my family house and meet everybody. I can’t really do much with one day off, to be honest. I just unwind at home, playing games, swimming, and using the jacuzzi. I watch movies.

What genres of movies, Kelly?

My favorite one, Hugo? I have two which are Whiplash and The Wolf of Wall Street.

Kelly, tell me something about yourself that might surprise you:

Hugo, you didn’t realize I am left-handed? I don’t know, something special?

Kelly, do you have a talent that is unknown?

Hugo: Oh yes, I do. I can draw. Everything, including life, is human. I occasionally enjoy drawing. It’s always been easy for me.

Kelly, if you could only accomplish one more goal in your career, what would it be?

Hugo: It’s challenging because I want to win the Premier League with Liverpool right now.

Kelly: That’s why you came here isn’t it?