Having joined Olympique Lyonnais as a promising young player last summer, Afonso Moreira (21) has quickly established himself as one of the team’s key players. The second most decisive player in Paulo Fonseca’s side this season (six goals and nine assists in 30 appearances), the Portuguese player has stepped up perfectly in the absence of Malick Fofana (20), who suffered a serious injury to his right ankle last October.
However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Sporting CP-trained forward, whose own season was cut short for several weeks after he picked up a hamstring injury in mid-February. Fit to return to the pitch for the Europa League round of 16 second leg against Celta Vigo (0-2), Moreira received an uncommonly warm welcome from his supporters.
That was a special moment that left a deep impression on the 21-year-old. “Right from the warm-up, we could feel the atmosphere; the crowd started chanting our names. If I’d been out of sight, I might have cried – it’s so overwhelming to receive that kind of love from the fans,” he admitted in an interview with Le Progrès. “I’m really passionate about football and this club, and I think they can sense that – that’s probably why we have such a good connection.”
