PROFILE | Anthony Lopes proves an upgrade for Nantes | OneFootball

It needed some getting used to to see Anthony Lopes wear a different goalkeeper jersey than the one embroidered with Lyon’s crest. For 13 years, the Portuguese shot-stopper stood tall between the sticks at Gerland and the Groupama Stadium, but the Lyon Academy prospect would not become a one-man club due to bitter circumstances.

Lyon president and owner John Textor signed Lucas Perri from Eagle Football-owned Botafogo, and Lopes was frozen out for the first part of the 2024-2025 season. Nantes, who had previously enquired about the Portuguese goalkeeper’s situation, secured his signing as a free agent as Lopes and Lyon reached a settlement over his contract termination.

Nantes were in desperate need of an upgrade because Alban Lafont was the shadow of the goalkeeper who once made his way into France’s senior team. Quickly enough, Lopes raised the bar and developed a bond with Nantes supporters, who have grown fond of his goalkeeper’s heroics, his never-say-die attitude, his leadership qualities and his willingness to support Nantes’ young crop of talented centre-backs.

Lopes on data: ‘To be clear, I couldn’t care less.’

Due to Nantes’ struggles in Ligue 1, it is no surprise to see that their best player is more often than not their goalkeeper, and there is a strong case to be made that Lopes may just be one of the best keepers in Ligue 1 right now. In L’Équipe’s goalkeeper standings since the start of the season, Lopes is only beaten by Lens’ Robin Risser, Angers’ Hervé Koffi, Lyon’s Dominik Greif, Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli and Rennes’ Brice Samba.

On his day, the FCN goalkeeper can produce a string of stunning saves to rescue a point or more, as he did against Brest when he prevented 2.5 expected goals on his own. Speaking of which, the 35-year-old is not a massive fan of data, as he told L’Équipe in October. “Expected goals, unexpected goals… These days, we pay a lot of attention to that kind of thing, all that data, etc. To be clear, I couldn’t care less. The bottom line is not to concede goals, right? That’s it. Let’s not overthink it.”

Lopes embodies what Nantes clearly lack: a vocal, talented and experienced player who leads by example. Fortunately for Les Canaris, the 35-year-old sees himself in North-western France for the long term. “As long as my body responds favourably to the demands of the top level, I don’t set any limits for myself.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval