PROFILE | Maxime Lopez – Paris FC’s in vogue midfielder | OneFootball

For many years, Montpellier’s Téji Savanier was a regular in the GFFN 100 list. The midfielder was a player who oozed class, whose technical ability, vision, ball-striking… regularly allowed him to outshine the other 21 players on the pitch. The demise of MHSC has seen him fall out of our list, but in the form of Maxime Lopez, a player of a similar profile has emerged.

The diminutive, waspish, technically gifted midfielder is very much in fashion in Ligue 1. PSG’s Vitinha is the most obvious and high-performing example, but there are others. Gautheir Hein stands out at Metz, whilst Lens’ Florian Thauvin also fits into that category, even if he plays in a slightly more advanced role. All share one commonality: they are a joy to watch. 

Lopez is more similar to Vitinha than to Hein or Thauvin. The Paris FC midfielder excelled upon his return to French football, when he made the surprising choice to drop down to Ligue 2, joining from Sassuolo on a free transfer back in the summer of 2024. It became quickly evident that he was a cut above the rest in France’s second tier, even if his modest statistics didn’t force home that message. Whilst other players (Jean-Philippe Krasso and Ilan Kebbal most notably) played the starring roles, there is a good argument to be made that no player was more important to Paris FC’s promotion than Lopez, whose creativity from deeper areas, coupled with his understanding of the rhythm of the game, allowed his side to control and to create. 

Lopez puts Paris FC on the front foot

And what is all the more impressive is how seamless the step up to Ligue 1 has been; if anything, the former Marseille midfielder has looked more at ease, even despite Paris FC’s mixed fortunes since promotion. 

What has stood out is his drive to get his side on the front foot, which is immediately apparent whenever he gets on the ball and which is reflected in his numbers, too. He ranks inside the top five in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes (also second in Ligue 1), whilst in Ligue 1, he also ranks inside the top five for shot-creating actions, passes into the final third, and key passes; he also ranks inside the top 10 for goal-creating actions and progressive carrying distance. Lopez is a player who puts his side on the front foot. In the midst of this ambitious project, you get the impression that, at 28, his light could brighten as more talented elements are gradually slotted in alongside him.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle