Lyon faces barcelona in historic women’s champions league final
For four long years, OL Lyonnes—formerly known as Olympique Lyonnais Féminin—has watched from the sidelines as rivals claimed the Women’s Champions League trophy. Once the undisputed queen of European women’s football with eight titles, the French club now faces a daunting challenge: a sixth consecutive final appearance by FC Barcelone, a team that has repeatedly stood in Lyon’s way since 2019.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Barcelona has dominated the competition in recent years, lifting the trophy in 2021, 2023, and 2024. Lyon, the last team to break their streak, did so in 2022—only to be matched by Barcelona in their own 2024 final. Now, these two powerhouses collide once more this Saturday, May 23, at 6:00 PM in Oslo, Norway, in what promises to be a battle for the ages.
OL Lyonnes chases history with a quadruple crown in sight
Under the guidance of new head coach Jonatan Giráldez, a former Barcelona tactician, OL Lyonnes is on the brink of rewriting football history. After securing the Coupe de la Ligue on March 14 and the Coupe de France Féminine on May 10, the team eyes two more titles: the Champions League and the Arkema Division 1 Féminine, with the latter final set for May 29 against Paris FC at Groupama Stadium.
“We set out to reach four finals, and we’ve done it. Now, we must win all four. We want to send a message to Europe—show them we’re back, stronger than ever. And we want to make France proud,” declared Selma Bacha, the 25-year-old Lyon full-back, with unwavering determination.
Captain Wendie Renard, the club’s most decorated player with 41 trophies, echoed the sentiment: “We’re writing history, something extraordinary. But it only counts if we win—because history only remembers the winners.”
Young star Melchie Dumornay, just 22 and fresh off two Player of the Season awards, added: “We have a team of world-class talent. Winning trophies is what defines us. We want to show our faces—prove that Lyon has evolved, that we’re better than our last clash with Barcelona.”
“From the outside, it might have looked easy for us to dominate, reflected Ada Hegerberg, the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or in 2018. But it was never simple. It’s remarkable that we’re back in a final after changing our coaching staff and losing legends. I’ve always believed OL is the best club to win trophies.”
Oslo awaits: a Norwegian homecoming for Lyon’s stars
This final in Norway carries extra meaning for two Lyon players: Ada Hegerberg and Ingrid Engen, both Norwegian internationals. For them, lifting the trophy on home soil would be the ultimate tribute to their roots.
“I can’t wait to return to Norway with my team—to showcase players like Wendie Renard to our people,” Hegerberg shared. She’s one of the greatest in women’s football, and I want Norway to see her class, her greatness.”
“Playing in Norway feels special,” added Engen, who joined Lyon from Barcelona in summer 2025. It’s a responsibility we carried—Ada and I wanted this match on our soil, in the stadium where we usually play for our national team.”
For Lyon fans unable to travel, the excitement will be palpable at Place des Terreaux in Lyon, where the club’s first-ever fan zone will broadcast the match live on a giant screen.
