Pires Constantino and Marcelo Dijan, who still has close ties to the club as a scout, were the first Brazilians to wear the Lyon shirt, but it's the 1999 arrival of international forward Sonny Anderson that really kickstarted the love affair between the samba nation and OL. In fact, between 2013 and 2015 is the only time Lyon fans have not seen a Brazilian wearing their team's shirt.

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Five Brazilians who made their mark on OL

Sonny Anderson

His arrival from Barcelona changed everything. OL won the first two of their seven successive French titles with 'Sonnygoal' in the team. The Brazil international netted 23 and 22 goals respectively in his first two seasons with the club, finishing as the league's leading scorer on both occasions.

Edmilson

Edmilson's technique and ability on the ball made him a spectacular, atypical centre-back. He won three French titles and a Coupe de la Ligue with OL, and lifted the 2002 FIFA World Cup as a Lyon player.

Claudio Caçapa

Along with Edmilson and then Cris, Claudio Caçapa formed a 100% 'made in Brazil' centre-back pairing. A six-time French champion, he returned to the club as assistant coach to Bruno Genesio in January 2016, and has since served in the backroom staff of Rudi Garcia and current boss Peter Bosz.

Juninho Pernambucano

The Brazilian with the most games and goals for OL, 14 trophies, including all seven of the club's Ligue 1 Uber Eats crowns so far. He scored 100 competitive goals, including 44 direct free-kicks, many of which were jaw-dropping strikes. He also returned to the club, working as sporting director from May 2019 to November 2021.

Cris

Nicknamed 'The Policeman', he joined Juninho over eight seasons in Lyon colours. An uncompromising defender, he lifted the 2007 Trophée des Champions and 2012 Coupe de France as the side's captain, two of the nine trophies he won with the club, including four Ligue 1 titles.

Lyon's 24 Brazilians (Ligue 1 Uber Eats stats only)

Pires Constantino : midfielder, 1957-1959 (77 matches, 14 goals)

Marcelo Djian : defender, 1993-1997 (101 matches, 1 goal)

Sonny Anderson : forward, 1999-2003 (110 matches, 71 goals)

Edmilson : defender, 2000-2004 (104 matches, 3 goals)

Claudio Caçapa : defender, 2000-2007 (125 matches, 7 goals)

Juninho : midfielder, 2001-2009 (248 matches, 75 goals)

Elber : forward, 2003-2005 (30 matches, 11 goals)

Nilmar : forward, 2004/2005 (32 matches, 2 goals)

Cris : defender, 2004-2012 (225 matches, 20 goals)

Fred : forward, 2005-2009 (87 matches, 34 goals)

Cleber Anderson : defender, 2007-2010 (19 matches, 1 goal)

Fabio Santos : midfielder, 2007-2009 (22 matches, 1 goal)

Honorato Ederson : midfielder, 2008-2012 (82 matches, 11 goals)

Michel Bastos : midfielder, 2009-2013 (98 matches, 26 goals)

Rafael : defender, 2015-20 (102 matches, 2 goals)

Marçal : defender, 2017-20 (42 matches, 0 goals)

Marcelo : defender, 2017-jan.2022 (121 matches, 6 goals)

Jean Lucas : midfielder, 2019-21 (19 matches, 1 goal)

Bruno Guimaraes : midfielder, jan.2020-jan.2022 (57 matches, 3 goals)

Camilo : midfielder, since January 2020 (on loan at Cuiabà, BRA)

Thiago Mendes : midfielder, since 2019

Lucas Paqueta : midfielder, since 2020

Henrique : defender, since 2021

Tetê : forward, since March 2022

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