Himbert's Hat-Trick Ignites Lyon's Champions League Ambitions on Return

Rémi HimbertPlayer·Rémi Himbert delivered a compelling performance on his return from injury, scoring a hat-trick in a friendly match on July 9, 2026. This decisive display immediately positions the young forward as a central figure in Olympique Lyonnais' preparations for the demanding Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League preliminary rounds.

Himbert's return is a significant boost for LyonTeam·Lyon, who secured a spot in the 2026/27 Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League qualifiers by finishing fourth in Ligue 1Competition·Ligue 1 during the 2025/26 season. His absence since mid-March, due to a right ankle sprain, was keenly felt as the club navigated the latter stages of their domestic and European campaigns.

Before his injury, Himbert had already established himself as a vital asset for LyonTeam·Lyon. During the 2025/26 season, he netted six goals across all competitions, showcasing his clinical finishing and burgeoning talent. His impact was particularly notable in European competition, where on January 30, 2026, at just 17 years and 334 days old, he became the youngest scorer in LyonTeam·Lyon's European history, surpassing a long-standing record held by Karim Benzema, when he found the net against PAOK in the Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League. Himbert continued to etch his name into the club's record books on March 1, 2026, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the fiercely contested "Olympico" derby against Olympique Marseille at 18 years and 1 day old, again breaking a record previously held by Benzema.

Beyond their Ligue 1Competition·Ligue 1 performance, LyonTeam·Lyon's 2025/26 season saw them reach the Quarter-finals of the Coupe de France and the Round of 16 in the UEFA Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League. However, their league form towards the conclusion of the season was inconsistent, with a record of one win, two draws, and two losses in their final five Ligue 1Competition·Ligue 1 matches. This included a 0-4 home defeat to LensTeam·Lens on May 17, 2026, and a 0-0 draw against ToulouseTeam·Toulouse on May 9, 2026, highlighting areas where the team will seek to improve.

Himbert's immediate impact upon his return underscores his importance to LyonTeam·Lyon's ambitions. As the club looks to navigate the challenging path to the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League group stage, the form and fitness of key players like Rémi HimbertPlayer·Rémi Himbert will be paramount.