Cherki in Cornet's arms. - LOIC VENANCE / AFP

  • Olympique Lyonnais qualified on Saturday evening at La Beaujoire, winning 3-4 thanks to a stratospheric Rayan Cherki.
  • The attacking midfielder scored two goals and assisted twice.
  • "It's a phenomenon," according to Martin Terrier, who is not the only Lyon player to admire the 16-year-old.

He must love yellow. A color that shines like him, Saturday evening, at the Beaujoire. At the start of 2019, Rayan Cherki had martyred the Nantes U17s in the championship (see video).

Rayan Cherki's goal with OL against FC Nantes in the U17 championship. pic.twitter.com/wYdnmBSzix

- Only Gones (@OnlyGones) May 18, 2019

Saturday evening, it was as a professional, at 16 that the Lyon offensive midfielder took a stroll on the banks of the Loire, in a stadium in Beaujoire dazzled by such precocious talent. Alone, he qualified (3-4) OL in the 8th final of the Coupe de France by signing - listen carefully - two goals and two assists. Without forgetting the penalty caused (and missed by Dembélé) in the second half.

Cherki, the little nugget of OL, hits the door and freezes Beaujoire 🔥 #FCNOL

Follow the Coupe de France on Eurosport 2 and https://t.co/ECOmy9ikVS pic.twitter.com/P4IXQlyIaM

- Eurosport.fr (@Eurosport_FR) January 18, 2020

"We see him in training, maybe he surprised you, but not us," smiled goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. It's up to him to keep his head on his shoulders. It is true that he is very comfortable with the ball. His only concern for him is to continue this momentum, to continue to grow. We already feel that he is someone mature despite his young age. »17 years old in August. This extremely early hatching is obviously reminiscent of that of Karim Benzema, who nevertheless started with the grown-ups at 18.

Rudi Garcia tempers not to be "brought to the skies"

Rudi Garcia prefers to temper the media outburst generated by the superb performance of his protégé, already the author of a goal in the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France in Bourg-en-Bresse (0-7): “Rayan Cherki, we know that he is a boy who has the capacity to be decisive. Of course I liked it. Of course my role is also to lower the levels because everyone is going to praise it. […] What I liked about me was his collective game with the others this evening, the intelligence of his play choices, and his defensive races. If he continues like this, he can continue to progress. »Very measured remarks in the mouth of the Lyonnais coach perfectly in his role.

"He has an extraordinary maturity for his age", according to Martin Terrier

A word from the kid if not? After responding to OL TV, Rayan Cherki went as fast in front of the journalists as in the field, pretending to be fatigued ... But, at the same time, it is undoubtedly his teammates who finally speak about it the best. Marçal: “Rayan has shown today that he can play with us and help us. We are not surprised because we see that almost every day in training. He is a magnificent player. "

Martin Terrier is full of praise either: “It's a phenomenon. Many people are betting on him. I do not want to move too quickly because we have known future adults who then did not have the career that we predicted for them. But, I put a coin on him anyway. He has an extraordinary maturity for his age. »16 years old and already very tall?

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