15:51 BST
Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesRayan Cherki has been a guiding force for Lyon since 2019, when he made his first-team debut after coming through the French club’s academy.
He has guided the club to runner-up finishes in both the French Cup and French League Cup, registering 29 goals and 45 assists across 185 appearances in all competitions.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Cherki, still only 21, bagged eight goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 and a further four goals and eight assists in Lyon’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals.
He made his France debut last night, scoring and assisting in a 5-4 defeat against Spain in the Nations League semi-finals.
Able to operate as a right winger and an attacking midfielder, the skilful Cherki is known for his ability to carry the ball over long distances, drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi for his dribbling abilities.
He is not only capable of picking out his team-mates but also has an eye for goal, making him dangerous to deal with in more ways than one.