The construction of the Stade des Lumières is nearing completion. In less than a year's time, Olympique Lyonnais will move from the Stade de Gerland to their brand new 58,000-seat stadium and one man is already eyeing the prize.

The dream

"It's certainly going to be much bigger than this stadium and there will be such an enormous atmosphere," Fekir told The Ligue 1 Show on BeIN Sports. "Playing Champions League football in this new stadium… that would be a dream. I'm looking forward to playing there and doing great things with this team."

Humble beginnings

Born a few kilometres from the building site, Fekir's football career started here just down the road at FC Vaulx en Velin, where his dad Mohamed still works as a volunteer.

"The first time I gave Nabil a ball was two days after he was born," recalled Fekir's father Mohamed. "As soon as he got hold of an orange or a small ball he'd start to do kick-ups straight away. But where I really taught him his technique was in the hallways - that's where you have to have control."

"I'd never let go of the ball at home, I always had one at my feet," concurred Fekir. "We broke lights, vases… we broke everything at home."

... makes you stronger

Despite his obvious talent, Lyon weren't convinced the local lad had it what it takes. Released by the club aged 15, Fekir had to wait three years before being picked up by the academy again. And this time he was even more determined.

"I'm a very normal guy, not big headed at all," said the 21-year-old. "I like to laugh and muck around. I didn't expect things to happen so quickly. I don't think I've changed! People might say I have but that's them."

"He's the same now as he was before. He loved to dribble, to take people on, just as he does now," explained Mohamed Fekir, with his son concurring 100 per cent. "I like to take people on. I like to dribble, and I enjoy what people call the beautiful game. Some people like that, others don't."

New beginning

Lyon were convinced and the forward signed his first professional contract aged 19, just two years ago.

"I didn't think I'd get as far as I have," admitted the revelation of the 2014-15 Ligue 1 season. "It has been hard work, I really have worked hard and I think I've more or less deserved to get to where I am today."

"He's living the moment and enjoying every day as it comes along," observed OL coach Hubert Fournier. "Everything is new for him, he still has this carefree quality about him and that's probably his biggest strength. He's a unique player in Ligue 1."

Sensational

With 11 goals and seven assists in twenty-four appearances, Fekir has been sensational for Lyon this year and he, as well as a host of other academy players, have helped turn Lyon into genuine title contenders. But for Lyon's president, there's no doubt who has been the star of the show.

"I look at Nabil in the same way the Barcelona president sees a small left-footed Argentine," declared OL president Jean-Michel Aulas. "He's my Messi. Just like Messi, he can suddenly turn things suddenly in a match."

"You can always do more," tempered Fekir. "I'm more or less happy with how I've done. I try to bring as much as I can to the team. To score, to be decisive… that's what's most important."

Aulas: 'Not for sale'

Fekir ended months of speculation by committing his international future to France, and not Algeria, this week. Now Lyon want to secure his club future with a lucrative contract extension.

"He's not for sale," said Aulas flatly. "So obviously the price would have to be astronomical. Nabil, just like Alexandre Lacazette and others aren't for sale. And they're not going anywhere. Every club is interested in him. So we need to make sure we offer him the best contract possible to make sure he's happy here."

Starry-eyed

However, Fekir isn't allowing himself to be distracted by details.  

"My aim is to win as many titles as possible," he explained. "That's my dream and so too is playing in other big clubs and leagues. I've always dreamed of playing somewhere like England, Spain or Germany."

For now, Fekir is concentrating solely on his football… Week 29 Olympico opponents Marseille have been warned.