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. On 7 July 2019, Cherki signed his first professional contract with
Lyon until 2022. He made his professional debut in a 0–0
Ligue 1 draw against
Dijon on 19 October 2019. After scoring four goals in the
2019–20 UEFA Youth League, he made his senior European debut on 27 November 2019 in a
Champions League group stage game against
Zenit Saint Petersburg, aged 16 years and 102 days, in which he substituted
Maxwel Cornet in the 74th minute of a 2–0 loss. debut game against
Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2019|left|300x300px 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. 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. On 19 August, 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 Champions League semi-final. Lyon were knocked out of the competition in that match, losing 3–0 to the eventual winners. 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. In September 2024, Cherki extended his stay with the club until 2027. The extension included an optional year, which would be automatically activated if he was still under contract with Lyon on 1 September 2025. Following the contract extension, Cherki emerged as a standout player for Lyon, finishing as the league’s top assist provider with 11, and earning him a place in the
UNFP Team of the Year. He was also given the inaugural Ligue 1 Dribbler of the Year award. In the
UEFA Europa League, Cherki delivered eight assists, making him the competition’s top assist provider and playing a key role in helping Lyon reach the quarter-finals. His performances were further recognized with the competition's Young Player of the Season award and a place in the Team of the Season, highlighting his development and growing influence at both domestic and European levels.
Manchester City On 10 June 2025,
Premier League club
Manchester City announced the signing of Cherki on a five-year contract for a reported initial fee of €36.5m, a potential €6m in add-ons, and a 15% sell-on clause. On 22 June, he scored his first goal for the club in a 6–0
FIFA Club World Cup group stage victory against
Al Ain. On 14 August, after
Jack Grealish's departure on loan to
Everton, Cherki was given the
number 10 shirt. On 16 August, Cherki scored on his Premier League debut for City after coming on as a substitute for
Erling Haaland in a 4–0 away victory over
Wolverhampton Wanderers in their season opener. On 29 October, Cherki registered a goal and an assist on his
EFL Cup debut in a 3–1 away victory over
EFL Championship side
Swansea City in the
fourth round. On 5 November, Cherki scored his first Champions League goal in a 4–1 home
league phase victory over
Bundesliga side
Borussia Dortmund. ==International career==