Afonso Moreira’s rapid rise puts him in contention with Malick Fofana at OL | OneFootball

Afonso Moreira supplied the decisive pass in Lyon’s 1-0 win over Le Havre on Sunday, the 20-year-old’s surge making him a competitor to Malick Fofana when the Belgian returns from injury.

According to L'Équipe, Paulo Fonseca spent the eve of the game mulling an attack stripped of Thiago Almada, Alexandre Lacazette, Georges Mikautadze and Rayan Cherki, with Fofana, injured on 26 October against Strasbourg, and Ernest Nuamah also sidelined. He noted Lyon end the year fifth in Ligue 1 and top in the Europa League, despite five Ligue 1 red cards leaving them to play five matches with ten men.

Recruited in the summer from Sporting’s reserves as one for the future, Moreira was unknown to Fonseca, but injuries fast-tracked him. The coach says the winger’s work rate, intensity and improved decision-making have surprised him.

His cross for Pavel Sulc was his fourth Ligue 1 assist. He has eight goal involvements in his last 11 Lyon appearances in all competitions, four goals and four assists, after none in his first seven.

Team-mate Moussa Niakhaté praised Moreira’s attitude, recalling relentless cameos before a first Lyon goal against Basel in a 2-0 Europa League win on 23 October, which he felt kick-started the youngster’s impact.

Fonseca now considers Moreira an important option, with Fofana not expected to resume training before late January 2026. He also highlighted the winger’s contribution as a left wing-back in a back five during Thursday’s 2-1 win over Go Ahead Eagles.

Source: L'Équipe