*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:13, 15 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:33, 9 August 2024 (UTC)
Mathis Rayan Cherki was born on 17 August 2003 in Lyon, Lyon Metropolis.[3] Both of Cherki's parents are of Algerian descent; his father, Fabrice, is also of Italian descent.[4][5][6]
Club career
Lyon
Cherki is a product of the youth academy of Lyon, and is considered one of their best-ever prospects. He began playing with their reserve side in the Championnat National 2 at the age of 15.[7] On 7 July 2019, Cherki signed his first professional contract with Lyon until 2022.[8] He made his professional debut in a 0–0 Ligue 1 draw against Dijon on 19 October 2019.[9]
On 4 January 2020, Cherki scored his first senior goal as a substitute in a 7–0 win over Bourg-en-Bresse in the Coupe de France, becoming the youngest-ever player to score a senior goal for Lyon, aged 16 years and 140 days.[12] On 18 January, he was involved in all four of Lyon's goals in a 4–3 win over Nantes in another Coupe de France match; he scored a brace, and assisted the other two goals.[13]
On 19 August 2020, Cherki was subbed on in a UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich. In doing so, he became the youngest-ever player to feature in a UEFA Champions League semi-final.[14] Lyon were knocked out of the competition in that match, losing by a score of 3–0 to the eventual winners.[15]
Cherki scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a 3–2 win over Monaco on 2 May 2021. His goal secured the victory for Lyon in the final minutes of the match.[16]
International career
Cherki is eligible to play for either France, Italy or Algeria, the latter due to his parents' origin. Cherki played for the France national under-16 team twice in 2018, both of which were friendlies against Denmark.[17]
