The Lyon women’s team, once known as Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, is chasing a ninth Champions League title this weekend, four years after their last triumph. The French giants, the most decorated club in the competition’s history, face their toughest obstacle yet: a Barcelona side that has dominated the tournament for half a decade.
Since 2019, Barcelona has reached six consecutive finals (excluding the COVID-19 disrupted 2020 season), lifting the trophy three times—2021, 2023, and 2024. The two teams have already clashed twice in the final, with Lyon triumphing in 2022 and Barcelona prevailing this year. Now, they meet again on Saturday, May 23, at 6:00 PM in Oslo, Norway, in what promises to be a clash of footballing titans.
lyon’s push for a historic quadruple: champions league in sight
Under the guidance of former Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez, Lyon is on the brink of achieving an unprecedented quadruple. After securing the Coupe de la Ligue on March 14 and the Coupe de France on May 10, the team has its sights set on adding the Champions League and the Arkema Division 1 title (May 29 against Paris FC) to their trophy cabinet.
“Our goal was always to reach four finals. We’ve done that. Now, we need the four trophies. We want to send a message across Europe—that we’re back, stronger than ever. And we want to make every French fan proud.” — Selma Bacha, Lyon’s dynamic 25-year-old full-back, shared her team’s ambition.
“We’re writing history right now, crafting something extraordinary. But it only matters if we win—history only remembers the victors.” — Wendie Renard, Lyon’s legendary captain and 41-time trophy winner with the club, emphasized the stakes.
“We have a squad of world-class talent. Winning trophies is what defines us. — Melchie Dumornay, the 22-year-old sensation and recent double-season MVP, added. We’re determined to show our faces, prove the club has evolved, and outperform our last encounter with Barcelona.”
Securing a ninth Champions League title would further cement Lyon’s European dominance. “At one point, it might have looked easy from the outside, but these victories were never handed to us,” admitted Ada Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and Lyon’s all-time top scorer. “It’s remarkable we’re back in a final after changing our technical staff and losing so many legends. But I’ve always believed Lyon is the best club to deliver titles.”
oslo becomes the stage for a sentimental finale
Beyond the records and accolades, this final carries a deeper significance. Playing in Oslo offers a unique opportunity for two of Lyon’s Norwegian stars—Ada Hegerberg and Ingrid Engen—to shine on home soil and showcase the pinnacle of women’s football.
“I can’t wait to bring my team to Norway to show the people back home what we’re made of—players like Wendie Renard, one of the greatest in football history. I want them to see that class, that excellence.”
“Competing in Norway feels special,” shared Ingrid Engen, who joined Lyon from Barcelona in the summer of 2025. “It was a huge responsibility for Ada and me. We were determined to play this match in our country, in the same stadium where we represent our national team.”
For Lyon’s loyal supporters unable to travel to Oslo, the match will be broadcast live on a giant screen at Place des Terreaux, marking the inauguration of the club’s first-ever official fan zone.