LYON, France (FN) — Olympique Lyonnais winger Malick Fofana will be sidelined for several months following a serious ankle injury sustained during Sunday’s Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg, the club confirmed.
Fofana, 20, was stretchered off in the second half after his right ankle twisted under a challenge from Strasbourg defender Ismael Doukoure. The tackle, which drew a red card after a video assistant referee review, left Fofana in visible pain and prompted immediate concern from teammates and staff.
Lyon described the injury as a “serious sprain of the right ankle” and said surgery is “very probable,” ruling the Belgian international out until well into the new year.
Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes expressed his concern after the match, saying, “It was heartbreaking to see Malick in that state. He’s a fighter, and we’ll be behind him every step of the way.” Lopes also praised Fofana’s impact on the team this season, calling him “a spark in our attack.”
Midfielder Maxence Caqueret added, “Malick’s absence will be felt deeply. He’s not just a talented player, but a great teammate. We’ll do everything we can to keep the momentum going for him.”
Coach Pierre Sage acknowledged the emotional toll of the injury, stating, “We lost a key player today, but the team showed character. Afonso [Moreira] stepped up brilliantly, and we’ll continue to adapt.”
Despite the setback, Lyon secured a 2-1 victory thanks to a late goal from Fofana’s replacement, Afonso Moreira. The win keeps Lyon fourth in Ligue 1 with 18 points, just two behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain after nine matches. The club also boasts a perfect record in the Europa League group stage.
Fofana’s injury comes at a challenging time for Lyon, who sold forwards Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze during the summer and lost captain Alexandre Lacazette after his contract expired. Financial difficulties nearly led to relegation, a decision overturned on appear
Fofana has scored two goals in 12 appearances this season and netted 11 times in 41 matches last campaign. He has featured in Belgium’s last four World Cup qualifiers and was linked with moves to Everton and Bayern Munich before choosing to remain at Lyon.
The club said it will provide updates on his recovery following further medical evaluation. In the meantime, Lyon’s squad is rallying around their injured star, determined to honor his contributions with continued success on the pitch.
