Anthony Lopes, the Portuguese goalkeeper, made his much-anticipated debut for FC Nantes on Saturday, January 5, 2025, against Lille OSC at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. After spending six months on the sidelines, Lopes was ready to showcase his skills once again on the Ligue 1 stage.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, providing Nantes with a valuable point as they fight for survival in the league. Though Lopes conceded a goal to Gabriel Gudmundsson just before halftime, he demonstrated his exceptional talent by making several key saves throughout the match, which earned him praise and recognition.
Lopes had not stepped onto the field for a competitive game since May 19, when he last played for Lyon Olympique. Now with Nantes, he expressed his relief and joy at the chance to return to the sport he loves. “I have been waiting for this since May 19. It’s an explosion of joy. I am very passionate, very human, and I was very happy for the team but also for myself, to be back on the pitch,” Lopes shared after the game.
Before joining Nantes, Lopes had spent 12 years with Lyon, where he had become known as one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1. Despite the somewhat tumultuous end to his spell at OL, where he was sidelined with the arrival of new competition, Lopes received a warm send-off from his former club. Lyon honored him with video tributes displayed at their stadium during their match against Montpellier on the same day as Lopes’ debut.
Supporters of Lyon, including the passionate Bad Gones fan group, paid tribute to Lopes with banners declaring, “Antho, a quarter of a century with us, you will not leave like this.” Even with the distance between them, the bond between Lopes and Lyon remained strong, reflecting his deep roots at the club.
During the match, Lopes showed his readiness by making several impressive saves. His first major intervention came just minutes after the opposition took the lead. He managed to keep the scoreline from widening as Lille launched attacks. The draw was not only significant for Nantes but also served to aid Lyon, who found themselves back on equal points with Lille following their win against Montpellier.
Lille had entered the match feeling confident after recent performances, but Lopes disrupted their plans. Just as Nantes seemed to be gaining momentum, they were thwarted when their goal, initially scored by Ignatius Ganago just after the break, was disallowed due to offside. The rules of the game continued to challenge the team but their persistence paid off when they finally earned and converted a penalty through Matthis Abline, leveling the match.
After the match, Bruno Genesio, Lopes’ former coach at Lyon, expressed his approval of the goalkeeper’s performance. “I am not surprised; he is one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1,” he said, commending Lopes for his contributions. This acknowledgment from Genesio was poignant for Lopes, who described the transition as smooth and mentioned how welcomed he felt among the Nantes squad.
Reflecting upon the long hiatus from competitive football, Lopes acknowledged the adjustments he still needed to make: “There are still a few automatisms to regain, but it will be fine.” His positive attitude bodes well for both his personal ambitions and those of his new team as they push to secure their position in Ligue 1.
Looking forward, Lopes is optimistic about the remainder of the season with Nantes. With the right support from both the team and the fans, he hopes to not only contribute to ensuring their relegation battle goes well but also to find his rhythm once more. “It’s great to be back, and I’m determined to show what I can do,” he concluded.
Despite the challenges faced, Lopes’ revival at Nantes has sparked renewed interest and enthusiasm around his capabilities. Both supporters and teammates are eager to see how he will perform moving forward, especially as they prepare for upcoming fixtures where every point counts.
Overall, Anthony Lopes’ return to the pitch was marked by resilience and determination—qualities he plans to bring to the upcoming matches as Nantes continues their fight to remain among the elite of French football.