Openda went back to Lens, the club that made him. He left in the medics' arms

By the Data Desk · Published 10 OCT 07:30

Loïs Openda scored 21 Ligue 1 goals for Lens in 2022-23, and on Friday night he left their stadium on crutches. Around the hour mark, after a heavy challenge from Ismaëlo Ganiou, the Lyon striker could not get up and was helped off by the medical staff, in tears according to Tuttosport, as Lyon lost 2-1 for their first league defeat of the season.

• Diagnosis still to come: Paulo Fonseca expected news on Saturday and said there was “un premier indicateur déjà” (already a first indication), Foot Mercato reported.
• Openda has two goals and one assist in ten games for Lyon, on a season-long loan from Juventus (Tuttosport).
• Juventus made his move from RB Leipzig permanent for about €40m in April 2026; he scored two goals in 34 games for them.

The scene at Bollaert was the opposite of a homecoming. Openda went down on the hour after Ganiou's challenge, and the reports differ on the exact problem: L'Équipe says he was hurt in the right leg, Tuttosport describes strong pain in the ankle, and Foot Mercato says it looked like a sprain. There is no medical report yet.

Fonseca told Ligue 1+ he expected news on his striker the next day and that there was already a first indication, without saying what it was, according to Foot Mercato. Openda was then filmed leaving the dressing room and the stadium on crutches.

The contract is the bigger story. Juventus took him from Leipzig on loan in September 2025 with an obligation to buy, triggered in April 2026 at a reported €40m, and in July they sent him to Lyon for a loan fee reported at €3.5m (beIN Sports). Tuttosport says the deal includes an option for Lyon to buy him, a detail other reports do not mention.

Lens won through goals from Sotoca and Udol, the first win for their coach Yannick Cahuzac (L'Équipe). Openda had his best season at that ground, 21 league goals in 2022-23, before Leipzig paid a reported €43m or more for him.