Olympique Lyonnais might not be the first name on your lips, but Lyon is one of European football's great underrated clubs. Seven consecutive French titles. A women's team that has dominated Europe like few others.
10 questions on Olympique Lyonnais: their record-breaking run in Ligue 1, their most iconic players, their stadium and the extraordinary success of the women's team.
Olympique Lyonnais, known as OL or simply Lyon, may not be the first club that comes to mind when you think of European football. But the facts speak for themselves. Between 2002 and 2008, Lyon won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles, a record in French football that has never been equalled. They became regulars in the Champions League knockout rounds during that same era, then reached the semi-finals in 2010 and 2020. Their nickname, Les Gones, comes from a local Lyonnais word meaning kids or young ones.
But perhaps the most remarkable story at OL is the women's team. With 8 UEFA Women's Champions League titles, OL Lyonnes (formerly Lyon Féminin) is the most decorated women's club in the world. That level of dominance, sustained over more than a decade, is almost without comparison in European sport. On the men's side, the academy produced Karim Benzema, and Brazilian free-kick specialist Juninho Pernambucano is still spoken about as one of the most gifted players ever to play in France. This is a club worth knowing.
Want to warm up before playing or double-check something? Open any question to reveal the correct answer and a short explanation.
Correct answer: 7
Lyon won 7 consecutive Ligue 1 titles from the 2001-02 to the 2007-08 season. This record for consecutive French championships has never been equalled. Their run was ended by Bordeaux in 2009.
Correct answer: Groupama Stadium
The Groupama Stadium, opened on 9 January 2016, has been Lyon's home ground since then. It is located in Décines-Charpieu, just east of the city, and holds 59,186 spectators. OL's previous ground was the Stade de Gerland.
Correct answer: 1950
Olympique Lyonnais was founded in 1950. The club spent its early years in the lower divisions before gradually rising through the ranks. Jean-Michel Aulas was president from 1987 to 2023, and under his tenure the club reached its peak.
Correct answer: Juninho Pernambucano
Juninho Pernambucano played for Lyon from 2001 to 2009 and became famous for his exceptional free kicks. He scored over 40 direct free kicks in the Lyon shirt and is widely regarded as one of the greatest free-kick specialists in football history.
Correct answer: Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema was developed at the Olympique Lyonnais academy and made his professional debut for the club in 2004. He joined Real Madrid in 2009 and went on to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or and five Champions League titles with Madrid.
Correct answer: Red and blue on white
Lyon's colours are red and blue on a white background. Their home kit is white with red and blue details. The club badge features the same three colours. The nickname "Les Gones" comes from a local Lyonnais word meaning children or kids.
Correct answer: 8
The OL women's team has won 8 UEFA Women's Champions League titles, making them the most decorated club in the competition's history. Their dominance is comparable to Real Madrid's in the men's game. The women's section was founded in 2004.
Correct answer: Le derby rhônalpin
The match between Lyon and Saint-Étienne (ASSE) is known as the Derby Rhône-Alpes. It is one of the fiercest rivalries in French football, with deep historical and regional roots between the two clubs.
Correct answer: Grégory Coupet
Grégory Coupet was Lyon's first-choice goalkeeper from 1997 to 2008, playing a key role in all 7 consecutive French title wins. He was the undisputed number one for the French national team for several years, in direct competition with Fabien Barthez.
Correct answer: Stade de Gerland
Before the Groupama Stadium opened in 2016, Lyon played at the Stade de Gerland (officially the Stade Municipal de Gerland) in the 7th arrondissement of Lyon. Built in 1926 and renovated several times, it now serves as a secondary venue.