Alexandre Lacazette’s farewell match for Lyon ends on a sour note as burglars raid his home during his final appearance before retirement
In a distressing turn of events, former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette’s home in Lyon was burglarized while he was on the pitch playing his final game for Olympique Lyonnais. The incident occurred on Saturday night during Lyon’s 2-0 victory over Angers at the Groupama Stadium, a match that marked Lacazette’s 391st and last appearance for his boyhood club. Yahoo Sports
Alexandre Lacazette, 33, delivered a stellar performance, scoring both goals in the match, bringing his total tally to 201 goals for Lyon. His contributions secured a sixth-place finish for the team in Ligue 1. However, the celebratory atmosphere was marred by the news that his residence in Lyon’s fifth district had been broken into during the game. The Sun
According to reports from French newspaper Le Progrès, two intruders accessed a safe within Lacazette’s home, stealing cash, jewellery, and luxury leather goods valued at tens of thousands of pounds. The burglary was reported to the police at approximately 1:30 AM, and security footage captured images of the suspects. An investigation is currently underway.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern affecting Lyon players. In recent years, several team members have been victims of similar crimes. Forward Georges Mikautadze was robbed at gunpoint in December, and defender Dejan Lovren experienced an attempted robbery in October 2023.
Lacazette’s final match for Lyon comes as his contract is set to expire this summer. Despite being one of the club’s most important players, financial constraints have led to the decision not to renew his contract. Lacazette rejoined Lyon in 2022 after a five-year stint with Arsenal, where he scored 71 goals in 206 appearances and won the FA Cup in 2020.
The 2024–25 season was a rollercoaster for Olympique Lyonnais. Despite a promising start, the team faced significant challenges, including financial difficulties that led to a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 announced by the DNCG in November 2024 due to financial mismanagement.
The club was also banned from signing players during the January 2025 transfer window. However, under the leadership of head coach Paulo Fonseca, Lyon managed to stabilize their performance. Fonseca, despite serving a nine-month domestic suspension for confronting a referee, led the team to eight wins in 11 matches, revitalizing a struggling squad with improved organization and strategy.
One of the season’s most unforgettable moments came in February, when Lyon hosted fierce rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Groupama Stadium. Trailing 3-0 at halftime, a depleted Lyon side mounted an extraordinary comeback, scoring four goals in 30 minutes to secure a historic 4-3 victory. Alexandre Lacazette played a crucial role, assisting the equalizer and netting the dramatic winner in stoppage time.
The match was hailed as one of the greatest comebacks in Ligue 1 history and symbolized the team’s refusal to crumble under pressure. It also reignited fan support and belief in Fonseca’s vision, proving to be a turning point in Lyon’s season. The victory marked a psychological shift and was credited with kickstarting Lyon’s late-season surge up the league table.
Lyon’s European campaign was notable, reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League before being narrowly eliminated by Manchester United in a thrilling 5-4 aggregate loss after extra time.
As Alexandre Lacazette bids farewell to Lyon, the club and its supporters are left to grapple with the dual emotions of celebrating his contributions and addressing the security concerns that have affected their players. The ongoing investigation into the burglary at Lacazette’s home underscores the need for enhanced security measures to protect athletes during high-profile events.
Despite the challenges faced during the 2024–25 season, Lyon’s resilience and determination have set a foundation for future success. The club’s ability to navigate financial hardships and competitive pressures will be crucial in the seasons to come.
