Yes, you have heard it right Olympique Lyonnais has been dominating Europe by making it to eight of the past 10 Champions League finals and won the last four 2016-2019.

They have also dominated French football by winning 13 consecutive domestic league titles from 2007 to 2019.

If you haven’t understood it already I am talking about Olympique Lyonnais Féminin team who plays domestic football in French League called Division 1 Féminine.

15 of their players are going to feature in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup which is going to be held in France. They along with Barcelona FC are most represented club teams in the world cup.

Ada Hegerberg the team’s Norwegian striker and inaugural Ballon d’Or winner was also called up for Norway but has decided not to represent the nation due to differences with Norwegian Football Federation.

But what is the story behind the Success? What is the story behind the Club

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin

The was formed as a women’s section of FC Lyon in 1970. But, in 2004 they became women’s section of Olympique Lyonnais. Since then they became a European Powerhouse. The currently have the highest UEFA women’s team ranking Coefficient.

Factors that lead to on field success

By now we must have understood how much dominant they have been in Europe. Just to summarize they have won 13 consecutive league titles from 2007 to 2019, 7 Coupe de France, 6 Champions League titles. Here are the factors…

Jean-Michel Aulas

Jean-Michel Aulas has been the head of Olympique Lyonnais since 1987. He gets stick from many fans over the sale of Anthony Martial, Karim Benzema, Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Essien, Mahamadou Diarra and many others in Men’s football.

Things are opposite in the female side where he has brought in stars like Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe paying them higher salaries than any other club in the world.

He is also famous for his support of female football and giving his players all the facilities that a male player would get. In OL academy Male and Female players train together till a certain age group is reached.

Star Treatment

At Olympique Lyonnais female players provided the same training fields, the medical staff, the liaison officers, and mental cell as men.

When they travel to play European matches they are provided chartered jet, and team bus just like men’s team.

Financial incentives

3 of the highest paid players in women’s football are currently at Lyon, apart from fixed salaries they have the right to retain earnings from image rights. Most of the team is Reported to be making Six-figure salaries. The Highest paid players in the team are

3) WENDIE RENARD – €348,000
2) AMANDINE HENRY – €360,000
1) ADA HEGERBERG  – €400,000

Who are also the three Highest paid Women footballers in the world.

Galacticos of Female football

Lyon has a habit of adding best female talent from around the world to their already strong French Core currently they have stars like German captain Dzsenifer Marozsán, Japanese captain Saki Kumagai, Pacy dutch winger Shanice van de Sanden, English stars Lucy Bronze, Izzy Christiansen and Norwegian stars Striker and Inaugural Women’s Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.

With star power like that any new player would feel proud if Lyon has shown interest in their services. Thus we can say Lyon has turned into a dream destination for many female players.

This also means the quality of training sessions will be really high which will lead to better performance on the field.

Pride Of Representation

Lyon shirt has turned into an ornament of pride for footballers. Their achievements meant that only the best in the World can wear that shirt on the field. So, Many of the top footballers will love a chance to represent them.