Legends
Merci, Alexandre Lacazette
With a win needed to give Olympique Lyonnais a hope of reaching Europe next season, legendary captain Alexandre Lacazette signed off on his second spell with Les Gones with a brace. Join us in looking back at his impressive spell(s) in Ligue 1.
Humble beginnings, a breakout season
Born in the city of Lyon to Guadaloupean parents, Lacazette started his career with the first team at his first club in 2010. At the time, the club were coming off a run to the Champions League semifinals, as well as their famous run of seven straight league titles. Originally used both on the left and centrally, competition for places was stiff at the time, with Bafe Gomis, Lisandro Lopez and Michel Bastos all in the team. Indeed, it wasn't until 2013-13 that Lacazette became a regular starter, forming an effective strike partnership with Gomis as the team reached the Europa League quarterfinals.
There was more to come for Lacazette, though, as he would score a stunning 90 goals in all competitions over the next three seasons. As well as winning the Golden boot in 2014/15, he notably helped Lyon to the semifinals of the Europa League in 2016/17 with a memorable stoppage time goal in a win over AS Roma.
Everyone loves you, Alex Lacazette 🥺🦁 pic.twitter.com/MHLVa5e4Xb
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 17, 2025
A move to Arsenal, a glorious return and an olympic medal
After the success of that season, Lacazette was on the move joining English side Arsenal. In what was an uneven period for the club, prior to the arrival of Mikel Arteta, both the player and the club failed to hit their hoped-for heights. He would average double figures in the league in each of his first four seasons in London, but in his final season, playing time was hard to come by, and he departed in 2022, returning to Lyon in style, scoring 27 goals in his first season and 19 last, before getting a special opportunity this last summer that befits his experience and talent.
While Lacazette hadn't played for his country since 2017, having failed to make an impact in a front line populated by the likes of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé, he gladly assumed his veteran role again last summer, joining Thierry Henry's Olympic team for the Paris Games. Speaking of his pride in being selected, and in displaying the same leadership qualities he has at his club, he said, “This shows that throughout my entire career, I have been exemplary enough to earn this responsibility. I am delighted to have been accepted as captain by the group, there’s been no jealousy.”
While France's hopes of a title ended in a gold medal match, Lacazette returned to his club eager to keep their winning momentum. The team have had a turbulent season, suffering a heartbreaking elimination in the Europe League, and dealing with firing of Pierre Sage and the suspension of Paulo Fonseca, but even in fighting for his place against summer signing Georges Mikautadze, Lacazette has been irreproachable, scoring six goals in his last seven Ligue 1 starts, including Saturday's win. Those goals proved crucial in lifting Lyon to sixth place and helping Lacazette reach 200 goals in his career with the club, allowing him to end his time with Les Gones as a true legend.
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