Lyon have joined the celebrations surrounding Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, with senior figures at the French club hailing defender Moussa Niakhaté after his role in the final victory over Morocco.
Senegal secured their second continental title with a dramatic win against the tournament hosts, a success that placed Niakhaté firmly in the spotlight.
The centre-back, a key figure for Olympique Lyonnais, was part of a Senegal side whose resilience and collective strength carried them to the trophy, prompting a wave of pride within his club.
One of the first to react was Jean-Michel Aulas, the former president of Lyon, who publicly congratulated the defender and underlined his influence within the national team.
In a message shared shortly after the final, Aulas praised Niakhaté’s leadership and commitment throughout the tournament.
“Moussa, you have been one of the leaders of your national team. Congratulations on your journey, your fighting spirit.
Well done on your victory at the Africa Cup of Nations. OL welcomes back a champion for what promises to be a thrilling second half of the season.
You are an inspiring leader and you demonstrate it every moment.”
Inside the Lyon camp, the sense of pride was echoed by teammates who followed the final from afar. Clinton Mata, one of Niakhaté’s closest colleagues in the dressing room, highlighted the impact of the achievement on the squad and the respect earned by the Senegal international.
“Moussa, we are all very happy for you. You made us proud tonight. We couldn’t watch the match, but enjoy your return home and celebrate, you deserve it. Congratulations to you and all the people of Senegal.”
Lyon’s new head coach, Paulo Fonseca, also acknowledged the significance of the moment, stressing its importance not only for the player but for the team as a whole.
Speaking after the final, he revealed that Niakhaté’s result was among the first topics discussed upon arriving at the training ground.
“When we arrived in the dressing room, the first thing we did was check Moussa’s score. Congratulations to him, I am very happy for him. This is a very important moment in Moussa’s life.”
Niakhaté’s success with Senegal adds a new dimension to his standing at Lyon, where his experience and leadership are expected to be crucial in the second half of the season.
The club’s reaction reflects the close attention paid to their players’ international performances, particularly when they culminate in major honours.
As Senegal celebrate another landmark in their football history, Lyon now look forward to welcoming back a continental champion, hopeful that the confidence and authority gained on the African stage will translate into decisive performances in domestic competition.
🗣️@JM_Aulas à propos de la victoire de Moussa Niakhaté lors de la #CAN2025
« Moussa, tu as su être l’un des GUIDES de ta sélection. Félicitations pour ton parcours, ta combattivité. Bravo pour ta victoire à la CAN.
L’OL voit revenir un CHAMPION pour une deuxième partie de… pic.twitter.com/8i4FBmqKGL
— 𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮™ (@GonesArea) January 20, 2026
