Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike has publicly backed teammate Dominik Szoboszlai after the Hungarian captain shared an emotional message following his country’s dramatic failure to qualify for the World Cup playoff.
Hungary’s hopes collapsed in devastating fashion against the Republic of Ireland. Szoboszlai had played a major role early on — setting up Daniel Lukacs’ opener — before fellow Liverpool player Milos Kerkez created Hungary’s second for Barnabas Varga. But the game took a shocking turn.
Troy Parrott struck twice late on, completing his hat-trick deep into stoppage time, flipping the table and sending Ireland into the playoff at Hungary’s expense.
Visibly distraught at full-time, Szoboszlai later posted an apology to fans, expressing how deeply the failure hurt and reaffirming his pride in representing Hungary.
He wrote passionately about wanting to deliver a World Cup return for the nation and promised to keep working to make that dream a reality.
Ekitike was one of the first Liverpool players to react, joining Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, and Ryan Gravenberch in offering support.
The French striker commented: “Always proud, brother.”
Ekitike himself is coming off a significant moment, having scored his debut senior goal for France to help seal their World Cup qualification in a 4–0 win over Ukraine.
Despite the heartbreak, Szoboszlai is expected to return to club action when Liverpool host Nottingham Forest on November 22. Arne Slot will be hoping the disappointment does not weigh too heavily on one of his standout performers this season.
Slot recently praised the midfielder’s overall contribution, emphasising not just his creativity but also the intensity and effort he brings without the ball — qualities the manager believes have been at an elite level in recent matches.
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