One to Watch: Lyon's Rémi Himbert seizes the day
Thrust into the starting line-up for the first time, in a Europa League tie no less, Rémi Himbert announced himself as Olympique Lyonnais' newest gem.
From the Gambardella to the Groupama
Football is often a story of taking the chances when they come, and Lyon's striker situation provided one for Himbert. The club signed Endrick from Real Madrid on loan in January, an arrival that saw Martín Satriano depart the club on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Endrick, who will miss Sunday's game against OGC Nice through suspension, has hit the ground running at the Groupama Stadium, but UEFA rules dictate that he could play no part in OL's two remaining Europa League 'league phase' fixtures.
It left Paulo Fonseca in search of solutions, and OL's prestigious academy has been in the business of providing them for several decades. The Portuguese manager didn't start the young forward Les Gones' 1-0 win over Young Boys, but he did come off the bench.
🏴 Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez ⚽️
🇵🇹 Afonso Moreira 🅰️🅰️
🇫🇷 Khalis Merah ⚽️
🇫🇷 Rémi Himbert ⚽️
🇫🇷 Adil Hamdani 🅰️
🇨🇿 Adam Karabec ⚽️🅰️
Lyon, on fire vs PAOK 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9q8Do3aGwq— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 30, 2026
It was against PAOK that he then received his first start in an OL shirt. It came as a surprise to the France youth international. "Two weeks ago, I was playing in the Coupe Gambardella and, initially, this weekend, I was expecting to play in the Gambardella," Himbert admitted.
But bumped up the pecking order, it was an opportune moment to make an impression and he certainly did that, netting .in the 4-2 win over PAOK, a result that secured Lyon's standing atop the table in the Europa League.
'I feel like a different player' - Himbert
Himbert has quickly made an impression. "He is a very intelligent player. That is his quality," began Fonseca, speaking last month. "I like his movement a lot. As soon as he has a chance, he attacks the spaces well. Despite his age, he is very intelligent in his movements."
And having made the breakthrough into the first team, just weeks before his 18th birthday, Himbert has set an objective. "I have progressed a lot, notably by going to the U17 World Cup in November. Being able to come back in with the professionals mid-season, I felt like a different player. Now, I want to stay with the pros," said Himbert, who currently only has 10 minutes of playing time to his name in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
A regular for France's youth sides (34 appearances from U16 through to U18 level, 11 goals), he may get his chance in the league, in light of Endrick's absence on Sunday. It is a game that could mark another important moment in his career, and with his 18th birthday coming up, there could soon be another, with the spectre of a first professional contract now looming for OL's latest gem.
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