Rémi Himbert: Meet Lyon's hat-trick sensation
Rémi Himbert made a big impression on Paulo Fonseca when he burst into the Lyon first team last season. His performances in pre-season now strengthen his case for more minutes going into the upcoming Ligue 1 McDonald's campaign.
A breakthrough, a contract, an injury
Himbert's breakthrough last season was opportunistic. OL's financial situation meant that they had to sell their main strikers from the previous season, Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze, and replacements could not be acquired. It was only in January, when Endrick and Roman Yaremchuck arrived on loan, that some real depth was brought into the forward line.
But even after the arrival of Endrick, an opportunity presented itself to Himbert. The Brazil international was not eligible to play in the final two group games of the Europa League. It was therefore Himbert, to his own surprise, who got the nod against PAOK at the end of January.
First start, first goal. ✨
17 years old. Rémi Himbert. 💎🦁 pic.twitter.com/MoPZcmXi4H— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 29, 2026
"Two weeks ago, I was playing in the Coupe Gambardella and, initially, this weekend, I was expecting to play in the Gambardella," Himbert admitted after having netted in Les Gones' 4-2 win.
And he immediately earned high praise from Fonseca. 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."
Things continued to move quickly for Himbert, who, at the start of March, made his first start in Ligue 1 McDonald's, in a 1-1 draw against Paris FC. Just hours earlier, the 18-year-old had signed a first professional contract with his formative club.
Rémi Himbert’s 3 goals in 30 minutes 🤯
In fantastic form 🔥🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/p6ayzXDJfn— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) July 11, 2026
But his bubble was burst in Vigo. Against the Spanish side in the Europa League, Himbert sustained an ankle injury that would go on to rule him out of the rest of the campaign.
Back on the pitch, Himbert is already building momentum ahead of the coming campaign. In consecutive friendlies, firstly against Macon and then against Saint-Gall, the Frenchman incredibly netted back-to-back hat-tricks.
A 'player for the future' and also for the present?
"He's picked up where he's left off," said OL's sporting director, Matthieu Louis-Jean. "His injury against Celta Vigo slowed his progression a bit but he is a talented player for the future. He is more coordinated, with a good reading of the game and knows how to get away from a marker. He is an intelligent boy, a hard-worker, who understands the notion of work and what Paulo's project demands. He moves well and finishes well."
A "player for the future", but also for the present. too? Himbert is putting himself in the conversation to play a starring role for Lyon next season. Endrick has now returned to Real Madrid, and whilst there may be recruitment in this sector, space is being created to academy products to blossom, and Himbert certainly represents one of the brightest talents emerging from one of France's most renowned academies.
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