Anthony Lopes Delivers a Heartfelt Speech Upon His Touching Return to Lyon

A satisfying victory! In a vibrant Groupama Stadium celebrating the club’s 75th anniversary, OL capped off a great week after their impressive 6-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League on Thursday, by comfortably defeating Nantes 3-0 on Sunday. This victory elevated the team to sixth place in the standings, providing a perfect evening for fans. The night was especially memorable for Lyon supporters as they commemorated the club’s anniversary and paid tribute to Anthony Lopes. The goalkeeper, who has been with the club for over a decade, returned to Lyon for the first time since leaving the club nearly a year ago.

After being sidelined by Lucas Perri last winter and subsequently urged to leave by John Textor, Lopes joined Nantes without a proper farewell to his beloved fans. Sunday marked a heartfelt reunion. Lopes was welcomed warmly, visibly moved as he entered the field for warm-ups, receiving cheers from the crowd. One of the leaders of the Bad Gones presented him with a scarf during halftime. In gratitude, Lopes flashed a heart gesture towards the iconic stand of the Groupama Stadium, a fitting farewell to the supporters of his cherished club.

Emotional Anthony Lopes Post-Match

Though he couldn’t prevent his team’s struggles despite several crucial saves, Lopes described the night as unforgettable. He expressed his emotions in an interview with Ligue 1+, stating: “This was the first date I marked on the calendar when it was released. It’s tough. I didn’t want it to come too quickly, as it was emotionally overwhelming. Leaving without saying goodbye was difficult for me. I can’t find the words to thank everyone for this evening. There are so many emotions. I wish I hadn’t conceded three goals. I don’t have the words. Everyone knows my bond with this club and its supporters. Thankfully, I got to say a real goodbye this Sunday. I had wonderful moments a year ago, but watching from a distance was hard. Today, I wish I could have done more for my team to prevent that 3-0, but it was complicated. We can’t change the past.”

Touched and on the verge of tears during the interview, the passionate goalkeeper shared how he prepared for this special match: “Honestly, I isolated myself for a week. I turned down all media requests. I didn’t want to discuss this particular match. I needed that shield to prepare properly. I have many friends and family in the stands, and they were understandably emotional too. Was it harder to leave or to return? The way I left wasn’t how I wanted it to happen. It happened overnight without saying goodbye. Unfortunately, some things transpired. Returning here to such a warm welcome was indeed special for me.” A truly touching evening for Anthony Lopes as he returned to Lyon.