Les Gones

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Lore & Background

The club's nickname, Les Gones, translates to "The Kids" in Lyon's regional dialect of Franco-Provençal. The club traces its origins to 1899, when a football club named Olympique de Lyon was formed within the multi-sport club Lyon Olympique Universitaire. Following internal disagreements, a final meeting of around twenty people took place on 23 May 1950 in Café Neuf on Place Bellecour, where the name Olympique Lyonnais was decided, along with the club's colours of red and blue. The club was officially formed days later, reported by Le Progrès on 26 May. Lyon won its first Ligue 1 title in 2002, starting a national record-breaking streak of seven successive titles. During that run, the club also won its fourth Coupe de France title, its first Coupe de la Ligue title, and six Trophée des Champions. The club reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in the 2009–10 season and again in the 2019–20 season, and the Europa League semi-final in the 2016–17 season.

In Their Own Story

On 27 August 1950, Olympique Lyonnais played its first official match under manager Oscar Heisserer, defeating CA Paris-Charenton 3–0 in front of 3,000 supporters, with Lyon's first goal scored within the first forty seconds. In just the club's second year of existence, Lyon were crowned champions of Division 2 during the 1950–51 season, securing promotion to Division 1 for the 1951–52 season. Under manager Lucien Jasseron, Lyon won its first-ever Coupe de France title defeating Bordeaux 2–0 during the 1963–64 season. Under Louis Hon, Lyon won their second Coupe de France title after defeating Sochaux 3–1 during the 1966–67 season. Under Aimé Mignot, Lyon won its third Coupe de France title during the 1972–73 season, beating Nantes 2–1. In June 1987, Lyon was bought by local businessman Jean-Michel Aulas, who aimed to turn Lyon into an established Division 1 side. Under his presidency, the club won its first Ligue 1 title in 2002, starting a streak of seven successive titles. In the 2019–20 season, Lyon reached the Champions League semi-finals, defeating Juventus in the round of 16 and Manchester City in the quarter-final before losing 3–0 to Bayern Munich. On 8 May 2023, after 36 years of presidency, Aulas stepped down, having sold the club to American businessman John Textor in December 2022. On 24 June 2025, Lyon were administratively relegated to Ligue 2 by the DNCG due to the poor state of the club's finances. On 30 June 2025, Michele Kang was announced president of the club.

Reader's Guide

The club's nickname, Les Gones, is a direct reference to the local Franco-Provençal dialect of Lyon. The club's home colours are white, red and blue. The club has a long-standing rivalry with nearby team Saint-Étienne, against whom they contest Le Derby. Lyon was owned by French businessman Jean-Michel Aulas from June 1987 until it was purchased by American businessman John Textor in December 2022. Michele Kang was eventually announced president of the club in June 2025 following Textor's resignation due to the poor financial state of Lyon. The club has participated in the UEFA Champions League seventeen times, reaching the semi-final in the 2009–10 season and the 2019–20 season, and has made it to the quarterfinals on three other occasions. They have also qualified for the Europa League numerous times, making it as far as the semi-final during the 2016–17 season.

Did You Know?

• The club's nickname, Les Gones, translates to 'The Kids' in Lyon's regional dialect of Franco-Provençal.
• Olympique Lyonnais was founded on 23 May 1950 during a meeting of around twenty people at Café Neuf on Place Bellecour.
• The club won its first Ligue 1 title in 2002, beginning a national record-setting streak of seven successive titles.
• Lyon reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in both the 2009–10 and 2019–20 seasons.
• On 24 June 2025, Lyon were administratively relegated to Ligue 2 by the DNCG due to the poor state of the club's finances.