Nabil Fékir’s rise at Olympique Lyonnais in the early part of the 2014–2015 season was nothing short of impressive. At just 21 years old, his technical flair, vision, and scoring ability quickly made him one of the most talked-about young talents in Ligue 1.
Key Highlights:
4 goals in his first 7 league matches, playing mostly as an attacking midfielder or second striker.
His close control, dribbling, and signature left-footed style drew comparisons to Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben — not necessarily in status, but in technique and movement.
Bernard Lacombe, a Lyon legend and close advisor to President Jean-Michel Aulas, heaped praise on Fékir, highlighting his:
Unique dribbling in tight spaces (“hooks”),
Vision and creativity,
Left-footed finesse that’s “rare in France.”
Lacombe’s quote:
“He has that particular left-footed thing, like a Messi, like a Robben. And he has a very good mentality.”
This endorsement not only reflected how highly Fékir was viewed internally at Lyon, but also hinted at the immense expectations placed on his shoulders. It was around this time that both France and Algeria were vying for his international allegiance, further emphasizing his growing stature in world football.
In hindsight, this early phase laid the foundation for Fékir’s 2014–15 breakout season, where he finished with 13 goals and 9 assists, earning a call-up to the French national team.
