When Lyon supporters think of great goal scorers, names like Di Nallo, Lacazette, Lacombe, and Benzema instantly come to mind. But who truly ranks among the best Lyon strikers of all time? In this article, BKKGoal will take you on a journey through Lyon’s history, spotlighting the forwards who lit up the Groupama Stadium with their finishing, their passion, and their legendary status in the club’s lore.
What Makes a Great Lyon Striker?
Before diving in, it’s worth defining our criteria. A “great Lyon striker” for this list should fulfill one or more of the following:
- High goal totals (in league and all competitions)
- Longevity and consistency at Lyon
- Big goals in big matches (title races, cups, Europe)
- Legacy in club history, including emotional bond with fans
- Influence beyond goals (leadership, mentorship, iconic moments)
With that in mind, here are the top picks for best Lyon strikers of all time.
The Legends: Top All-Time Scorers at Lyon
Lyon’s all-time scoring charts clearly anchor this list. According to goal-scoring records, some names stand above the rest.
Fleury Di Nallo — “Le petit prince de Gerland”
- Lyon’s all-time leading scorer with 222 goals in all competitions.
- He wore the club’s shirt through thend early ’70s, forging deep emotional ties with the fans.
- Though goal rates were lower in his era, his volume and influence make him a pillar of Lyon’s identity.
Alexandre Lacazette — The modern icon
- Second only to Di Nallo in Lyon’s scoring charts with around 144 goals (in all competitions) during his time at OL.
- He developed in Lyon’s youth system, became captain, and his runs into space, link-up play, and finishing made him the heart of their attack.
- His departure to Arsenal left a void; his comeback rumors still spark excitement among fans.
Bernard Lacombe — The Lyon soul
- Tallied 149 goals during his time with Lyon, placing him third in club scoring history.
- Lacombe passed away in 2025, but his legacy lives on. He also served Lyon off the pitch in multiple roles after his playing days.
- His identity is deeply interwoven with the club’s DNA.
Bafétimbi Gomis & Sonny Anderson — The European killers
- Gomis: Scored 95 goals for Lyon, and had crucial performances in European competition.
- Sonny Anderson: Scored 94 goals; his flair, dribbling and finishing made him a fan favorite.
- Though neither matches Di Nallo’s totals, both delivered exciting runs in modern European contexts.
##sing And Underappreciated Names
Not every great Lyon striker is a headline household name. Some deserve recognition for their impact, if not sheer volume.
Lisandro López
While an attacker with more of a hybrid role, López scored 82 goals in Lyon colors.
His physicality, aerial ability, and hold-up play added a different dimension to Lyon’s forward line.
Moussa Dembélé
In his relatively short stint, Dembélé scored 70–80 goals (in all competitions) for Lyon.
He consistently threatened defences in Ligue 1, though his European record was more modest.
Karim Benzema — The academy gem
Before his Galáctico status, Benzema was a Lyon product. In 148 appearances, he netted 66 goals at OL.
His tactical intelligence, movement, and composure forecasted the world-class striker he became at Real Madrid.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Metrics That Count
Here’s a side-by-side look at key metrics for several candidates of best Lyon strikers of all time:
| Player | Goals (all comps) approx. | Appearances | Goals per match | Key trait |
| Fleury Di Nallo | ~222 | ~495 | ~0.45 | Club legend, volume |
| Alexandre Lacazette | ~144 | ~391 | ~0.51 | Youth product, consistency |
| Bernard Lacombe | ~149 | — | ~0.58 | Iconic bridge between eras |
| Bafétimbi Gomis | ~95 | — | ~0.39 | European impact |
| Sonny Anderson | ~94 | — | ~0.58 | Flair, finishing |
| Lisandro López | ~82 | — | ~0.49 | Versatility |
| Moussa Dembélé | ~70–80 | — | ~0.41 | Youthful threat |
| Karim Benzema | 66 | 148 | ~0.45 | Prototypical modern striker |
These stats underline how Di Nallo’s sheer volume, Lacazette’s balanced rate + tenure, and Lacombe’s historical resonance push them to the top.
Why These Strikers Defined Lyon’s Identity
Each of these forwards did more than just score — they embodied Lyon’s values in their eras.
- Di Nallo bridged the club’s emerging identity. In less-glamorous times, he carried Lyon’s ambitions.
- Lacombe, born in Lyon, later worked for the club — a total life-cycle investment.
- Lacazette represented a modern face:.
- Gomis and Sonny Anderson brought the fire: attacking intent, European nights, moments of magic.
- Benzema may be more famous globally, but his Lyon roots remind supporters of how a local prodigy can become a legend.
A Few Honorable Mentions
- Nestor Combin: A mid-century force with flair and presence.
- Eugène Kabongo: Rarely mentioned today, but his scoring rate captured attention in his spell.
- André Guy: A lesser-known name but part of Lyon’s historic tapestry.
These names may not dominate the leaderboards now, but each had moments when they lit up Gerland and helped write Lyon’s history.
Era Comparison: Difficulties & Contexts
Comparing strikers across eras is never straightforward. In earlier decades:
- Tactics were different (less specialization, lower average scoring)
- Fewer European matches, fewer competitions
- Club resources and infrastructure were more constrained
In modern times, strikers face:
- More intense defensive systems
- Physical demands, rotation, injuries
- Higher stakes in European competition
Thus, a rate-of-goals metric must be tempered with respect to the context.
Final Thoughts
Best Lyon strikers of all time is a truly subjective label — but when viewed through the lens of volume, legacy, consistency, and emotional resonance, certain figures rise above. Fleury Di Nallo remains the top scorer, Alexandre Lacazette bridges the city and modern era, and Bernard Lacombe occupies a place of honor in Lyon’s pantheon. Meanwhile, contributions, López, Dembélé, and Benzema enrich the tapestry with diversity, flair, and ambition.
At BKKGoal, we believe that each generation’s striker carries forward the torch, stick around — we’ll soon publish similar deep dives for midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers of Lyon. Also, let us know: who is your choice for the best Lyon striker of all time?
