Lyon's Malick Fofana to Miss Several Months with Serious Ankle Injury
Lyon's Malick Fofana suffers serious ankle injury, likely to miss several months. Read more.
“...very probably need surgery, which would keep him out for several months...”
Lyon's promising young winger Malick Fofana is facing a lengthy absence after suffering a serious ankle injury during the weekend's game against Strasbourg. Fofana, 20, was stretchered off the field in distress after his ankle twisted awkwardly under a challenge from Strasbourg's Ismael Doukoure, who was subsequently given a red card.
The injury is expected to keep Fofana out of action for “several months,” dealing a significant blow to Lyon's prospects in Ligue 1 and European competitions. This latest setback adds to the challenges faced by Lyon, who have had to navigate a difficult season without key players like Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze, who departed during the summer transfer window.
Fofana's absence will be deeply felt by Lyon, who rely heavily on his pace and skill on the wing. The 20-year-old has been in impressive form this season, scoring two goals in 12 appearances for Lyon and earning call-ups to the Belgian national team. His recovery and return to the pitch will be crucial for Lyon's success in the coming months.
Lyon's star player Malick Fofana suffered a devastating injury during the match against Strasbourg, described by the club as a “serious sprain of the right ankle.” Fofana will “very probably need surgery, which would keep him out for several months,” according to the club.
We wish Malick Fofana a speedy recovery 🫶 pic.twitter.com/kPMPEyFBrE
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 26, 2025
The injury occurred under a challenge from Strasbourg's Ismael Doukoure, who was shown a red card following a VAR check. Despite Fofana's absence, Lyon managed to secure a 2-1 win, thanks to a late goal from Afonso Moreira, who replaced the injured Fofana.
The 2-1 win over Strasbourg moved Lyon to fourth place in Ligue 1 with 18 points, just two points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain after nine matches.
In addition to their strong Ligue 1 form, Lyon are also enjoying a perfect start in the Europa League, with nine points from three games, making them one of only three teams to have achieved the maximum points in the league phase so far.
Lyon's injury blow couldn't have come at a worse time, with the club losing Fofana for an extended period that will likely stretch well into the new year. This is a significant setback for Lyon, who were already heavily reliant on the young winger's talent after selling key forwards Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze in the summer.
The departure of captain Alexandre Lacazette, who left on a free transfer after his contract expired, further weakened Lyon's attacking options. The club's financial struggles limited their ability to bring in replacements, and Fofana's absence will be deeply felt. Lyon's financial difficulties were so severe that they were initially relegated to Ligue 2 due to debt, only managing to stay in the top flight after a successful appeal.
Communiqué médical : Malick Fofana
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) October 27, 2025
L’Olympique Lyonnais déplore la blessure sérieuse de Malick Fofana, sorti hier soir à la 67ème minute du match face à Strasbourg.https://t.co/4Y3jZxinaj pic.twitter.com/DJ9bWtlWD2
Fofana is a key player for both Lyon and the Belgian national team, having featured in their last four World Cup qualifiers. This season, he has scored two goals in 12 appearances for Lyon.
The 20-year-old winger has consistently shown his goal-scoring ability, netting 11 times in 41 matches last season. His talent has attracted interest from top clubs, including Everton and Bayern Munich, in the recent transfer window. However, Fofana chose to stay with Lyon, a decision that will now prove costly for the club given the lengthy layoff he faces due to injury.
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