Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca praised the talents of Rayan Cherki following the club’s 5-1 victory over AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday, but tempered expectations regarding the young forward’s chances of claiming the Ballon d’Or in the near future.

Cherki, 23, scored his sixth goal of the season with a well-executed strike, skillfully evading a defender before placing the ball into the corner of the net. Phil Foden contributed a hat-trick in the match, while Elliot Anderson opened the scoring for City. The result highlighted the depth of talent within Manchester City’s squad.

Maresca acknowledged Cherki’s impact on the game, stating, “Rayan had a very good game. He made an impact in some moments like the goal. With Rayan we can expect anything.” However, he emphasized the competitive nature of football and the challenges Cherki faces in pursuing individual accolades such as the Ballon d’Or. “This is a team sport not a single sport but Erling is a top player. So is Rayan and Elliot,” Maresca said, referencing striker Erling Haaland, who missed the match due to an injury but is expected to attend the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

The award is widely anticipated to be contested between Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, the current favorite, and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. Haaland’s absence in Athens opened the door for Foden to start upfront, and the Englishman responded with three goals, boosting his confidence after ending a ten-month goal drought just days earlier.

Maresca also highlighted Foden’s importance to the squad, acknowledging recent challenges the player has faced. “We know that Phil is a top player. For different reasons he had some problems the last two years but I know he will help us and that’s why I’m so keen to have him in the best way,” Maresca said.

In addition to the senior players, Maresca praised the contributions of the youth players who featured against AEK Athens. Seventeen-year-old Floyd Samba started the match, while Ryan McAidoo and Kaden Braithwaite, both 18, also appeared. “The three players from the academy were all good, especially Floyd in from the start. It’s always a pleasure for me to give them some moments and then we had the chance to rest some players,” he added.

Manchester City’s emphatic win marked a strong statement in their Champions League campaign, with Maresca balancing praise for individual performances alongside a reminder of the collective nature of the sport.