Olympique Lyonnais have recovered from a difficult start to the season, and they have one of their youngest first-team players to thank for the turnaround.
Malick Fofana (19) joined Lyon in January 2024, and the teenager has thrived out wide throughout the campaign, utilising his pace and skills with both feet to terrorise opposing defenders down the left flank.
He is another success story from KAA Gent in Belgium, the same club that his teammate Gift Orban (22) and prolific Lille OSC goalscorer Jonathan David (24) previously featured with before their careers started to thrive.
Fofana has three goals and an assist in his last three matches with Les Gones across all competitions, as Lyon are on a four-match winning run, in all competitions.
OL had won just one of their opening five domestic contests before their current run and currently find themselves eighth in the table. Fofana’s excellent form has earned him more playing time down the left wing instead of Saïd Benrahma (29).
Pierre Sage’s side has looked much more dynamic with Fofana’s presence, as his dribbling, particularly in one-on-one situations, has created plenty of scoring opportunities for OL.
He’s not just a speed demon; he’s shown himself to be a solid provider who is capable of making pinpoint crosses with either foot.
At an early age, he’s also shown that he can come through in clutch situations, scoring a winner in the dying stages of their win over Toulouse FC (2-1).
The Belgian netted a brace in Lyon’s 4-1 victory in the UEFA Europe League versus Rangers. Following that match, Fofana spoke about the challenge his coach had put on him.
“For me personally, the coach told me that to be a starter, I had to prove I can help the team,’” says Fofana. Sage says he’s earned his place in the team so far this season.
“He’s a player who’s at the very high level in his mentality, but he will have to string together these sorts of matches, then he will have a very, very good future,” said the OL manager.
After nine appearances across all competitions this season, Fofana has three goals, one fewer than his highest-ever total in a single campaign.
Early into his football career, Fofana is drawing comparisons to another Belgian winger and former Ligue 1 player, Yannick Carrasco (31), who made over 100 appearances for AS Monaco’s first and second teams.
Fofana made his first appearance with the national team at the most recent UEFA Nations League window, playing the final three minutes plus stoppage time against Italy in place of Jérémy Doku.
