'When I run, I feel happy' – Afonso Moreira becomes Lyon’s unstoppable force

Speaking in an interview with L'Équipe, Olympique Lyonnais winger Afonso Moreira opened up on his remarkable rise in Ligue 1, his relentless intensity, and why running has always been at the heart of his game.

There is a moment in almost every Olympique Lyonnais match when supporters rise from their seats because of Afonso Moreira. Sometimes it is a lung-bursting sprint back towards his own penalty area. Sometimes it is an explosive run beyond the opposition defence. Often, it is both in the same move.

At just 21 years old, the Portuguese winger has become one of the revelations of Ligue 1 this season. Arriving from the Sporting CP reserve side for just €2 million last summer, Moreira was almost unknown outside Portugal. Less than a year later, he is indispensable for Olympique Lyonnais and rapidly becoming a fan favourite.

And according to the player himself, the explanation is simple. “Since I was young, every time I run, I feel happy,” Moreira told L’Équipe. “I just love running.”

From Sporting uncertainty to Ligue 1 revelation

When Moreira arrived in Lyon, even he doubted whether he was truly ready for the step up.

“I knew my qualities, but I also knew it was a huge step,” he explained. “At Sporting, I trained with the first team but I wasn’t playing regularly. I knew there was a big difference between Portuguese football and Ligue 1.”

The adaptation, however, happened far quicker than expected.

His breakthrough moment came against Strasbourg in October after an injury to Malick Fofana forced Paulo Fonseca to throw him into the action. Moreira responded by scoring a dramatic late winner — his first Ligue 1 goal — and never looked back.

Since then, his importance has only grown. Against Paris Saint-Germain last weekend, the Portuguese attacker delivered arguably his finest performance yet, scoring once and registering an assist in a stunning 2-1 victory at the Parc des Princes.

Still, Moreira refuses to get carried away.

“I have to prove it again against Auxerre,” he said. “Otherwise the match against Paris means nothing.”

Paulo Fonseca’s influence

Moreira credits much of his rapid development to OL head coach Paulo Fonseca.

The shared language and culture between the two Portuguese men has accelerated the youngster’s tactical growth, particularly in the final third.

“He speaks to me a lot about my football,” Moreira explained. “He has already helped me change the decisions I make on the pitch, especially in attacking situations.”

Fonseca has also used Moreira in several different tactical roles. Whether deployed as a wing-back or closer to striker Endrick in a two-man attack, the Portuguese winger has embraced every responsibility without complaint.

“I just want to help the team,” he said. “If the coach puts me on the left, I do it. If he wants me close to Endrick, I can do that too.”

The modern footballer

What makes Moreira stand out most is not simply his technical quality, but his relentless intensity.

The Portuguese youngster revealed to L’Équipe that he believes he possesses one of the best aerobic capacities in Lyon’s squad, allowing him to sustain high-intensity efforts for the entire match.

“I can keep the same speed for 90 minutes,” he said. “That’s very important in modern football.”

But despite appearances, he insists the effort comes at a cost.

“Of course I’m tired!” he laughed. “Most of the time I don’t look tired, but I’m exhausted. I’m dead. I just know how to manage it.”

The defensive discipline visible in his performances today also stems from his education at Sporting under Ruben Amorim, where he was frequently used as a wing-back in a back five system.

That tactical versatility has made him invaluable in Fonseca’s system at Lyon.

Staying grounded amid rising expectations

Moreira’s market value has reportedly multiplied dramatically this season, while whispers linking him with bigger clubs are already beginning to circulate ahead of the summer transfer window.

Yet the winger insists nothing has changed.

“I’m still the same kid from my small town in Portugal,” he said. “My family would never allow me to change — and I don’t want to.”

Rather than dreaming of an immediate transfer, Moreira’s focus remains firmly on Lyon’s ambitions.

“I want to reach the Champions League with Lyon,” he stated clearly. “That’s important for the club and for me too. Reaching it, then playing in it.”

A call-up to Portugal’s senior national team — perhaps even alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — still feels surreal to him.

“But football changes quickly,” Moreira admitted with a smile. “Six months ago I would have said it was impossible.”

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