Players: Olympique Lyonnais, generally known as Lyon or OL, is a distinguished French football membership primarily based totally in Lyon. Established in 1950, the membership has a wealthy record and has been a good sized pressure in French and European football.
Goalkeepers
Lucas Perri
Lucas Perri, born on December 10, 1997, in Campinas, Brazil, is a goalkeeper who joined Olympique Lyonnais in January 2024. Before his transfer to Lyon, Perri performed for São Paulo FC and Botafogo. Since his arrival, he has ended up the first-goal goalkeeper for the 2024–2025 season, showcasing magnificent performances and regular growth.
Anthony Lopes
Anthony Lopes, a player from Lyon’s adolescents academy, has been a stalwart for the membership due to the fact making his expert debut in 2012. Known for his agility and shot-preventing talents, Lopes has been a dependable presence among the posts for over a decade.
Defenders
Malo Gusto
Malo Gusto is a younger and dynamic right-lower back who has risen through the ranks of Lyon’s academy. His tempo, shielding solidity, and attacking contributions have made him a normal starter in the lineup.
Castello Lukeba
Castello Lukeba, a valuable defender, has emerged as one of the most promising abilities in French football. His composure at the ball and shielding recognition have earned him accolades and hobby from top European golf equipment.
Nicolás Tagliafico
The Argentine left-lower back Nicolás Tagliafico joined Lyon in the summertime season of 2022. With his enjoy and tenacity, he has introduced intensity and nice to the team’s defense.
Midfielders
Corentin Tolisso
Corentin Tolisso returned to Lyon in 2022 after a successful stint with Bayern Munich. His versatility lets him play both shielding and offensive roles in midfield. In early 2025, Tolisso attracted interest from Premier League membership Brighton & Hove Albion, however he expressed contentment at Lyon, emphasizing his bond with the membership and teammates.
Maxence Caqueret
Made from Lyon’s academy, Maxence Caqueret became recognized for his imaginative and prescient and passing accuracy. In January 2025, he transferred to Italian membership Como for €16.5 million, marking the give up of his lengthy affiliation with OL.
Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki is considered one of the brightest younger players in European football. Capable of gambling as an attacking midfielder or winger, his dribbling abilities and creativity have drawn interest from predominant golf equipment. In overdue 2024, reviews emerged approximately Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain’s hobby in signing him, with Lyon valuing him at around €30 million because of monetary constraints.
Forwards
Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette, born on May 28, 1991, in Lyon, is a striker who started his professional profession with OL in 2010. After a successful duration at Arsenal from 2017 to 2022, he returned to Lyon, in which he became appointed captain. As of March 2025, Lacazette has scored fifty six goals in 87 appearances due to his return, making him the membership’s second-most all-time top goalscorer.
Karl Toko Ekambi
The Cameroonian worldwide Karl Toko Ekambi has been a crucial part of Lyon’s assault due to the fact becoming a member of the membership. His tempo and completing talents have contributed considerably to the team’s offensive prowess.
Recent Transfers and Squad Developments
Lyon has been lively in the switch marketplace, each in obtaining and promoting gamers to bolster the squad and cope with monetary considerations. The departure of Maxence Caqueret to Como and the capacity sale of Rayan Cherki spotlight the membership’s approach to stability expertise retention with financial stability.
Top Performers So Far in the 2024–2025 Season
Alexandre Lacazette
As noted earlier, Lacazette has been instrumental. His cap potential to attain from each open play and set portions makes him one of the most precious belongings in the French top flight. As of March 2025, he maintains a few of the top 5 scorers in Ligue 1.
Lucas Perri
Despite becoming a member of simply over a 12 months ago, Perri has inspired with more than one easy sheets and commanding performances. His reflex saves and calm distribution under strain have settled Lyon’s shielding concerns.
Nicolás Tagliafico
The Argentine full-lower back brings unequalled paintings and enjoyment. He’s a few of the top defenders in Ligue 1 in terms of interceptions and tackles according to game.
Rising Stars to Watch at Lyon
Skelly Alvero
A tall, fashionable midfielder with a robust passing range, Skelly Alvero is slowly carving out greater minutes in the first team. Known for his composure and manipulation in tight spaces, he is a participant Lyon fanatics are hopeful becomes the subsequent academy achievement story.
Saël Kumbidi
Often compared to Malo Gusto, Kumbidi is a younger right-lower back with incredible overlapping runs and stable shielding instincts. He’s visible as a destiny starter for each membership and probably the French countrywide team.
Lyon’s Financial Strategy and the Youth Model
Lyon, like many golf equipment in Ligue 1, has needed to make calculated monetary choices because of regulations and the post-pandemic marketplace environment. The membership maintains to prioritize:
Promoting academy expertise
Selling gamers at top value
Signing under-the-radar gems
This sustainable technique has allowed them to stay aggressive whilst balancing books. Rayan Cherki’s rumored €30M valuation, for instance, is an immediate end result of this model.
Olympique Lyon Players Salary
As of the 2024–2025 season, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has been coping with its participant salary shape amid monetary challenges. The membership’s general annual salary invoice is envisioned at approximately €56.31 million, equating to around €1.08 million in per week.
Top Earners:
Alexandre Lacazette: The pro striker is the highest-paid participant, earning €115,385 gross per week, amounting to €6 million annually.
Nemanja Matić: The skilled midfielder additionally commands an extensive salary, reflecting his veteran status.
Corentin Tolisso: Another key parent in the midfield, Tolisso’s wages align together along with his contributions at the field.
Other Notable Salaries:
Anthony Lopes (Goalkeeper): €62,000 in per week.
Rayan Cherki (Midfielder): €57,000 in per week.
Nicolás Tagliafico (Defender): €54,000 in per week.
Recent Financial Measures:
Facing over €500 million in debt, OL has undertaken extensive steps to relieve monetary strain:
Player Sales: In January 2025, the membership transferred numerous gamers, consisting of Wilfried Zaha and Saïd Benrahma, to lessen the salary invoice and generate funds.
Wage Bill Reduction: These actions have reportedly stored approximately €1.7 million (except for charges) from the membership’s salary expenses.
Financial Outlook:
Despite those measures, OL’s monetary state of affairs stays precarious. The membership wishes to generate around €100 million in sales to keep away from sanctions and capacity relegation. Securing a gap in the UEFA Champions League should considerably bolster the membership’s finances, however failure to qualify may also necessitate in addition participant sales.
In summary
Olympique Lyonnais remains an essential organization in French football. With a dedication to youth, a record of excellence, and gamers like Lacazette, Cherki, and Tagliafico main the charge, OL is poised for resurgence. Whether you are a lifelong fan or a newcomer exploring Ligue 1, following Lyon gives a mixture of tradition, passion, and thrilling footballing prospects.
FAQs
What is Lyon’s role in Ligue 1 proper now?
As of early April 2025, Lyon is fighting for a top-4 spot, sitting fifth in the table, carefully trailing Lille and Rennes.
Who is Lyon’s top scorer this season?
Alexandre Lacazette leads the chart with 17 goals throughout all competitions.
What came about to Maxence Caqueret?
He transferred to Italian club Como in January 2025 for €16.5 million.
Is Lyon in European opposition this season?
No, Lyon neglected out on Europe for the 2024–2025 season however is aiming to qualify for 2025–2026.
Are there any updates on Rayan Cherki’s future?
As of now, he stays at Lyon, even though Liverpool and PSG have made enquiries.
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