A name broke out during OL preparation matches: Khalis Merah. Who is this young environment that already arouses so many expectations? Portrait in 5 points.
Sometimes a friendly match is enough to reveal a talent. Faced with Hamburg, in the heart of summer, a young midfielder captured the light, displaying rare ease and maturity for his age. This player is Khalis Merah. But reducing your appearance to a simple summer performance would be a mistake. Behind this name hides a methodical course, a deeply Lyonnaise identity and a profile which seems to perfectly correspond to the DNA of the club. Far from being a surprise, its hatching is the fruit of a decade of training and mutual trust. Here are five things to know to understand who is really the new attraction of Olympique Lyonnais.
Merah, a pure “gone”, faithful to her heart club
The story of Khalis Merah is above all a Lyon history. Born in Meyzieu, the very city where OL has established its training center, it is the embodiment of the local anchoring that the club cherit. After having made his debut in the club of his city (Us Meyzieu), he joined the Academy of OL from the age of nine, in 2016. Unlike many young talents, Merah remained faithful to his training club for almost ten years, climbing all the levels. This loyalty, until the signing of his first professional contract on the day of his 18 years, makes him a “pure product” of the club, a strong symbol for supporters who see him in him a child of the country ready to defend their colors.
The prototype of the modern midfielder “formed at OL”
If OL is known to form technically gifted environments, Khalis Merah adds a modern dimension. Described as a relayer environment with an excellent vision of the game and a high quality of pass, it is not content to have others play. What distinguishes it is his “aggressiveness” and his commitment to defensive work. It combines technical elegance specific to the Lyon school with a volume of play and combativeness essential at the high level. Versatile, capable of playing in sentry as in number 8, and good shooter of set foot, he was able to compensate for a physique formerly frail by a remarkable placement intelligence.
Early talent, validated by leaders and staff
OL's confidence in Merah is not new. Regularly outclassed in the youth categories, he managed to make an impression at key moments. The most telling anecdote remains
This direct free kick scored during a U17 derby against Saint-Etienneunder the eyes of John Textor and the coach of the time, Pierre Sage. It is a sign of character. This confidence was definitively sealed by the public praise of his new coach, Paulo Fonseca,
After the match against Hamburg,
who praised his “courage” and his “personality”. The signing of his contract until 2027 is proof that the club sees in him a cornerstone of his future project.
A leader in the making at the ramps already eloquent
The potential of Khalis Merah is already accompanied by responsibilities. Captain of the U19 team from OL, notably in the Gambardella Cup, he has demonstrated a maturity and a strength of character which exceeds his simple role as a player. French international in U16, he also proven himself statistically with the U19 (5 goals, 4 assists in 2023-2024), proving that he can be decisive. Its transition to the senior world has been successful, with several appearances in National 3 with the reserve team. This set of experiences shows a player already used to pressure and ready to cross the upper course.
Khalis Merah strikes hard: OL holds its new jewel
The future: between a place at OL and an international choice
Two major challenges are now waiting for Khalis Merah. The first will be to transform its promises into a regular place in the professional workforce of OL. His full profile offers him several tactical options to get there. The second, more personal, will be his choice of national selection. With the Double Franco-Algerian nationality, he will have to opt for the Blues or the Fennecs. It is a classic story for the nuggets formed in Lyon, and its decision will inevitably be scrutinized, adding an additional dimension to his young career.
It is of course too early to draw final conclusions from a single friendly match. However, if there is a positive point to withdraw from the recent financial crisis crossed by OL, it is this obligation to trust the talents of its academy. This austerity policy has created an opportunity that Khalis Merah seems ready to seize. The promises displayed are very real, and see it confirmed at the highest level will be one of the most interesting soap operas to follow in Lyon this season.
