OL Lyonnes facts for kids
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| Full name | Olympique Lyonnais Lyonnes | |||
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| Founded | 1970 (as FC Lyon) 2004 (as Olympique Lyonnais) |
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| Capacity | 59,186 | |||
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| President | Michele Kang | |||
| Manager | Jonatan Giráldez | |||
| League | Première Ligue | |||
| 2024–25 | Première Ligue, 1st of 12 (champions) | |||
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OL Lyonnes is a professional women's football (soccer) club from Lyon, France. The team is often just called Lyon or OL. It is the women's part of the famous French football club Olympique Lyonnais.
Lyon is one of the most successful women's football clubs in the world. They have won the French league, Première Ligue, a record eighteen times. They have also won the UEFA Women's Champions League eight times, which is more than any other team.
Many people consider Lyon to be the best women's team in the world. They have set a high standard for how women's football clubs can grow and succeed. The team has won five trebles, which means winning three major trophies in one season.
Contents
History of the Club
The team started in 1970 as part of the club FC Lyon. In 2004, it became the official women's team for Olympique Lyonnais. This change brought more resources and support, helping the team become a powerhouse in Europe.
Rise to the Top
After joining Olympique Lyonnais, the team began to dominate French football. They won the league title for 14 years in a row, from 2007 to 2020. They also became a major force in Europe.
In the 2009–10 season, Lyon reached the final of the UEFA Women's Champions League for the first time but lost. The next year, they won the final, beating the German team Turbine Potsdam. They won the title again in 2012.
A Record-Breaking Era
From 2016 to 2020, Lyon did something amazing. They won the Champions League five times in a row. This matched the record set by the men's team of Real Madrid.
Four of their players—Sarah Bouhaddi, Amel Majri, Wendie Renard, and Eugénie Le Sommer—have each won eight Champions League trophies. This is a Guinness World Record for the most wins by any player.
Main Rivalry
Lyon's biggest rival is Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Matches between them are called the "Classique féminin." For many years, PSG finished second in the league behind Lyon. In 2017, the two teams even played against each other in the Champions League final, with Lyon winning after a penalty shootout.
A New Name and Look
In May 2025, the club's new owner, Michele Kang, announced a new name: OL Lyonnes. The name is a mix of "Lyon" (the city) and "lionnes" (the French word for lionesses). Kang explained that the team wanted a strong identity separate from the men's team.
A new logo was also introduced. It shows a roaring red lioness with blue and gold colors. Kang said she was inspired by how lionesses in the wild are powerful hunters who care for their pride. The new slogan for the club is Nouvelle Histoire, Même Légende, which means "New Story, Same Legend."
Stadium and Ownership
The team plays its home games at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. This is a large stadium with over 59,000 seats, which they share with the men's team.
In 2024, American businesswoman Michele Kang became the majority owner of the club. She also owns the Washington Spirit in the United States and the London City Lionesses in England. Kang is focused on growing women's sports. She created a company called Kynisca Sports International to manage her teams. The company is named after Cynisca of Sparta, the first woman to win an event at the ancient Olympic Games.
Players
Lyon has always had some of the best players from around the world.
Current Squad
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Famous Past Players
Many legendary players have worn the Lyon jersey. Some of the most well-known include:
- Wendie Renard (France): A long-time captain and one of the world's best defenders.
- Eugénie Le Sommer (France): One of the club's all-time top goalscorers.
- Ada Hegerberg (Norway): The first-ever winner of the Ballon d'Or Féminin.
- Megan Rapinoe (USA): A world-famous American star who played for Lyon.
- Lotta Schelin (Sweden): A top scorer for the club for many seasons.
- Saki Kumagai (Japan): A key player in midfield and defense for many years.
- Lucy Bronze (England): An English defender who won many trophies with the team.
Honours and Trophies
Lyon is one of the most decorated clubs in women's football history.
- Division 1 Féminine (French League)
'Winners (18 times, a record):' 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
- Coupe de France Féminine (French Cup)
'Winners (10 times, a record):' 2007–08, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2022–23
'Winners (8 times, a record):' 2010–11, 2011–12, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22
See also
In Spanish: OL Lyonnes para niños
