Estéban Lepaul: A Late Bloomer Lighting Up Roazhon Park

Estéban Lepaul’s career has been a winding road — from the OL academy, through the lower divisions with Épinal and Orléans, to his breakout year with Angers, and now, his explosive rise at Rennes.

Four years ago, Estéban Lepaul looked destined to be another name on Lyon’s long list of academy graduates who never quite made the leap. A product of Olympique Lyonnais’ youth setup, he showed promise in their B team but struggled to find a professional foothold when released in 2020. What followed was a slow climb through the French football pyramid.

After spells with Épinal and Orléans between 2020 and 2023, Lepaul’s return to Épinal reignited his form in National 2 (fourth tier). His performances earned him a winter move to Angers SCO in January 2024, where he played a decisive role in their promotion to Ligue 1 McDonald’s. But life in the top flight didn’t start smoothly — by mid-autumn, he had only completed one full 90 minutes in fifteen matches, still finding his place in Alexandre Dujeux’s system.

Then came the turnaround. As 2024 gave way to 2025, Lepaul suddenly couldn’t stop scoring. He found the net in the Coupe de France against FC 93 Bobigny, then again versus Stade Brestois, Montpellier, and Quevilly-Rouen, stringing together five goals in four matches. By March, he had gone from squad player to indispensable striker.

That run was enough to earn him a move in the summer to Stade Rennais under Habib Beye, and has since steadily became a potent scorer in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

A perfect match by Lepaul 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yLXQY9IUnZ
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 2, 2025

A first hat-trick in Ligue 1

On Sunday at Roazhon Park, Lepaul struck his first Ligue 1 hat-trick, firing Rennes to a 4–1 victory over Strasbourg and lifting the mood around the club after a tricky spell. It was a performance full of conviction, instinct, and precision.

“Some teams just bring out your best,” smiled Lepaul in the mixed zone to reporters following the game. “Strasbourg are from my region, so maybe there’s something there. But honestly, I’d feel the same joy scoring against anyone. The flavour of goals never changes.”

His treble brought his tally against Strasbourg in 2025 alone to seven goals — after two braces in the Coupe de France and late last season while still at Angers. His scoring touch clearly survived the transfer north.

Strasbourg boss Rosenior was quick to praise the Frenchman’s finishing instincts, describing him as a player who “smells danger before anyone else in the box.” For Rennes have long searched for a consistent No.9 - and they may have found it with Lepaul backing the goals this season in Ligue 1 McDonald's.