Lyon’s Success Inspires Lily Yohannes to ‘Improve and Grow’ in UWCL

OL Lyonnes maintain a formidable legacy in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, having achieved an unprecedented eight wins in the prestigious tournament. US women’s national team player Lily Yohannes expressed her enthusiasm for their goals in the UWCL, representing one of the top clubs worldwide, as she prepares to face Juventus.

Yohannes is in her second season with OL Lyonnes after transferring from Ajax in the Netherlands. She gained prominence at the club by becoming the youngest player to start a UWCL match at merely 16 years old against PSG.

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Following this achievement, she committed to the USA on the international stage, solidifying her status among the elite players globally at such a young age, after turning down offers from both the Netherlands and Eritrea.

Yohannes Continuing to Grow at OL Lyonnes

Wearing the colors of a successful team like OL Lyonnes brings not only challenges but also valuable training opportunities alongside some of the world’s best footballers.

“I think I’m learning from the big names in our locker room,” Yohannes shared. “They’ve done it so many times; just seeing how they operate on a day-to-day basis, how they prepare themselves, I’m watching, learning, and asking questions.”

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Having secured three major trophies since her arrival at OL, the 19-year-old acknowledges that there is always room for improvement.

“Training in such a high-level environment is helping me continue to grow. I’m really thriving and happy here,” she added.

OL Lyonnes Aiming for All Available Trophies in 2026/27

Despite OL’s remarkable accomplishments in the UWCL, the squad has not claimed the title since 2022. They faced defeat in last season’s UWCL final against Barcelona, losing 4-0 in Oslo.

“It’s difficult to reflect on that game and say ‘we could’ve done this or that differently,’ because we gave it our all, and the outcome was unfortunate,” Yohannes commented.

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Looking ahead, OL is determined to reclaim their title and build on their successful legacy of eight trophies.

“We’ve built on what we learned last season, and I can feel the energy and commitment from the group. Our goal remains the same: to win all four available trophies,” she stated.

“I can sense the momentum and the positive vibes from everyone. We will take it game by game and keep pushing forward,” the U.S. star concluded.

PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 17: Lily Yohannes of OL Lyonnes along with teammates Salma Paralluelo, Jule Brand, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto at Parc des Princes on October 17.

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Lily Yohannes Reflects on the Ballon D’Or and Her Achievements

At the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, Yohannes earned fourth place for the Women’s Young Talent of the Year award, in addition to being recognized as Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year and earning a spot in the UNFP Première Ligue Team of the Year.

“I’m super grateful for recognitions like this, as it’s truly special,” Yohannes remarked. “Football is fundamentally a team sport, but being acknowledged individually motivates me even more to develop and grow.”

“I’m determined and eager. I will always strive to work hard for both my own success and that of my team,” she added.

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With consistent recognition as one of the top players at her age and beyond, there is added pressure.

“I appreciate the recognition, but I focus on staying grounded. There’s much more I can achieve, and I want to keep playing at the highest level. My family and coaches help keep me humble,” she explained.

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Yohannes receives additional guidance from OL Lyonnes coach Jonatan Giráldez and USWNT manager Emma Hayes.

“Emma and I have a great relationship; she’s always pushing me to advance my skills,” she stated. “The experiences she’s provided on the international stage have significantly contributed to my growth. It’s been fantastic working with her these past few years.”

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OL Lyonnes will travel to face Juventus on November 11 in the UWCL. Currently, OL is positioned second in the UWCL league table, trailing behind Barcelona, while Juventus occupies the fifth spot.

Find out where to watch the UEFA Women’s Champions League at wheretowatch.uefa.com.

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