French football is crying this evening the disappearance of the former legendary striker of Olympique Lyonnais, Bernard Lacombe. A seriously ill and hospitalized since January, the second top scorer in the history of the French championship (255 goals) leaves a big void, especially in the capital of Gaul. Only a few moments after the announcement of the death of its former striker, OL has split a beautiful tribute. “It was with immense sadness that we learned this Tuesday evening the death of Bernard Lacombe. All our thoughts go to his family and loved ones, but also lovers of Olympique Lyonnais and football. Farewell Bernard, you were our legend, the greatest of all. ” Since then, tributes have been followed by.
The LFP and most of the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs sent their support messages to the Lyonnais, as well as to the family of the deceased. President of the FFF, Philippe Diallo also wanted to pay tribute to one of the craftsmen of the European coronation in 1984 with the French team. “”It was with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Bernard Lacombe. Bernard Lacombe marked French football with an indelible imprint, as a player, coach and manager. He was one of the greatest attackers in the history of our football. Second top scorer in division 1, he wrote the glorious pages of Lyon, Saint-Étienne and Bordeaux. He also shone with the French team. His goals helped install the Blues on the international scene. Bernard Lacombe was thus a major craftsman of the title of the European champion in 1984. He signed some of the most beautiful tricolor exploits, I am thinking in particular of his goal in the first seconds of play against Italy during the 1978 World Cup. He was undoubtedly a source of inspiration for many attackers. After his remarkable player career, Bernard Lacombe put his football science at the service of Olympique Lyonnais, his heart club. With Jean-Michel Aulas, which I think very hard in these painful moments, he formed a duo which transformed OL into a successful club. Deeply attached to his city, to his club, to his friends, Bernard Lacombe will miss a lot. The Federation will pay tribute to him. On behalf of all French football, I send my most sincere condolences to his loved ones and friends.»
«There are pain that we do not share.»
On the Lyonnais side, the reactions were necessarily expected. Starting with the faithful partner of Bernard Lacombe: Jean-Michel Aulas. The two men shared 37 years in the history of OL and this disappearance necessarily affects the one who could soon run for the post of mayor of Lyon. “”There are pain that we do not share. Today is that of losing Bernard. Thirty-seven years of a friend without mask. Rare fidelity. He never spoke to say nothing. But when he spoke, it was right. And often decisive. In Lyon, we have lived everything together: defeats, rebirths, summits. What he embodied will not die. The humility of the player. Respect for the club. And this quiet faith that bore difficult days. I will miss in the noisy days, and even more in calm days. In Mireille, to her children, I mean my deep affection. And kiss them as we kiss those who know, even in silence, what it means to love. Farewell Bernard. And thank you“Posted JMA on X.
Another flagship striker of OL, Sonny Anderson was also very marked. “I speak of man, the one who counted like a father. When you know that a parent is sick, you know he's going to leave, but you don't want it. When he is no longer there, you lose something of your life. I was lucky to go to see him. He's someone I liked a lot. People speak little about the human knowledge he had. He loved attackers. When I signed in Lyon, it is thanks to him. Today is hard. I lost my father in 2001, I lost my second father in 2025. Lyon without Lacombe is more than losing a title, a championship. For me, it's losing a father a second time ”he told the microphone of RMC. Ditto at the former player (1985-1995) and coach (2015-2019) of the Gones, Bruno Genesio. “”It's very difficult to talk about Bernard tonight. I learned the news and unfortunately expected it. I am very very sad about his disappearance. (…) We had established a very special relationship with Bernard. He was a great gentleman. OL was his life. He was the memory, the soul, the Bible of this club. I lose a great friend. I had seen it again not long ago, we could joke one last time. That it rests in peace», He moved in the columns of The team.
«It is thanks to Bernard that OL is a club recognized all over the world»
Another legend of OL, Juninho also came out of silence in the pages of the sports daily to underline the XXL work of a man who gave himself body and soul for the new Lyonnais recruits. “”I knew he was very sick, I was in contact with Stéphane (Bénas), the museum director, who kept me informed of his state of health. But it really hurt me to receive this message today. I first remember all the help he gave me at the start. It gave me a lot of advice on things that you can think harmless, but which are in fact very important. I had to adapt to a new city, to a new life, to a different football, and it was he who allowed me to get there. The first year, he was very concerned when winter arrived, he was afraid of the cold for my family and me. When I was in the national team, he came to get me in private flight, and he told us a lot of stories about OL of his time, he transmitted his memory to us. Bernard was someone who passed by messages. (…) I have a lot of trouble for his whole family. All OL players and all the club supporters, we all owe a huge thank you to Bernard. He was one of the biggest players in the history of the club, a great leader, and I may even believe the biggest, because he was fundamental to create our group that won everything. It was he who made this team. I hope that all supporters will have a great gratitude, because it is thanks to Bernard that OL is a club recognized all over the world.»
Among the youngest, it was a little shorter. Like Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki published his first reaction on his social networks. The first was satisfied with an emoji prayer, while the new Manchester City player wrote ” Legend “ in a story. Now a ex-Gones captain, Alexandre Lacazette, for the moment, has just resting the OL message on X. Only Georges Mikautdze has split a stronger message. “”Mr. Lacombe was much more than a name. A voice, a soul, a story that has gone through generations. He embodied OL, French football, loyalty, passion, respect. Even those who have not known him much personally, like me, grew up in the shadow of what he represented. It was everywhere: in the corridors of the club, in the stories, it was the DNA of OL. Today, we lose an immense figure. All my thoughts go to his family, to his loved ones, to our whole OL family. Rest in peace Mr. Lacombe. You will never be forgotten“, He posted on X. Tonight, Lyon is crying one of his most emblematic representatives.
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