Lindsey Heaps concluded her European journey with a defeat against FC Barcelona, despite briefly believing she had opened the scoring in the Champions League final. The midfielder will not feature in the competition again, as she prepares for her move to Denver in a week.
Just three weeks prior, Heaps had believed she had completed the most challenging part by netting an early goal, only for VAR to intervene, though it ultimately didn’t affect OL Lyonnes’ positive outcome against Arsenal. Three weeks later, Lindsey Heaps experienced another emotional rollercoaster in Oslo. Around the fifteen-minute mark, the American midfielder was convinced she had put the Fenottes on the path to victory, expertly following up on a parried header from Wendie Renard. She wasn’t alone in her conviction, but once again, video assistance intervened, disallowing the goal for offside. By mere centimeters, the narrative of the Champions League final could have unfolded very differently, leading to a much more joyous conclusion for OL Lyonnes and Heaps.
“Proud to have been part of this club”
At the final whistle, the midfielder was understandably dejected. Beyond the disappointment of losing a second continental final after 2024, the Lyon number 10 was also bidding farewell to the competition. Set to depart for Denver this summer, Lindsey Heaps had hoped to cap off her time with a second European triumph, following her victory in 2022. It was a mission unfulfilled for the captain of the American national team. “Football is football, and sometimes things don’t go as you want them to. I’ve played many finals, won some and lost others. All credit goes to Barça. They are one of the best teams in the world, and it’s always a pleasure to compete against them. Above all, I am proud of our team, proud of this club, and proud to have represented OL Lyonnes,” she stated after the match.
Lindsey Heaps now has one final match remaining with OL Lyonnes, scheduled for Friday against Paris FC, where she aims to conclude her time in Lyon with a ninth title.