Alexandre Lacazette

At 33 years old, Alexandre Lacazette has this physical status:

Alexandre Lacazette (born 28 May 1991) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for and is the captain of Ligue 1 club Lyon. He plays mainly as a striker but has also been deployed as a second striker and wide forward.

Lacazette began his senior career with hometown club Lyon in 2010, at age 19. Initially a wide forward, he was converted into a striker, and finished as Ligue 1 top goalscorer and won Ligue 1 Player of the Year in the 2014–15 season. In 2017, Lacazette was the subject of a then-club record association football transfer when he signed for Arsenal in a transfer worth up to £47.5 million (€53 million), with whom he won the FA Cup in 2020 and reached the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final. In 2022, Lacazette returned to Lyon on a free transfer.

Lacazette made his debut for the senior side of the France national team in 2013, after he represented his nation across all youth levels. Lacazette was a key contributor in France's victory in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where he scored the match-winning goal in the final against Spain. He has recorded three goals in sixteen appearances for his nation.

Early life

Lacazette was born in Lyon, to a family of Guadeloupean origin. He is the youngest of four boys. One of his brothers, Benoît, played in the Swiss second division and French fourth division and was the coach in the Lyon futsal club: Lyon Footzik Futsal. His cousin, Romuald, is also a professional footballer and plays as a central midfielder.

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Club career

Lacazette began training at the Centre Tola Vologe, the club's training center, right after his arrival at the club. Many coaches, including the player himself, likened him while training for Lyon striker Sonny Anderson. Lacazette was a youth player for the club's under-18 team, which finished third place in the Championnat National des moins de 18 ans from 2007-08 season. He made his debut in 19 CFA matches as a member of the Championnat de France Amateur (CFA) reserve team the following season, scoring five goals in 19 CFA games. Lacazette had a fruitful career in the CFA in 2009-2010, scoring 12 goals in 22 appearances.

He was called up to the first team by boss Claude Puel in the team's 1–0 victory over Montpellier on May 2, 2010. Lacazette made his first team debut in a Ligue 1 home match against Auxerre three days later. Lacazette's first professional contract came to an end on July 3, 2010, confirming a three-year contract. Due to the fact that he has another year on his aspirant (youth) deal, the year will begin on July 1, 2011.

Lacazette's excellent campaign in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championships attracted attention from Italian club Roma. After playing in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship finals, he earned acclaim from the media, as well as international teammates Yannis Tafer and Clément Grenier for his service to the club. Lacazette's first team began training full-time in the 2010-11 season. In 12 2010-2011 CFA matches for the club's reserve team, he scored 6 goals. In a Ligue 1 home match against Sochaux on October 30, he scored his first competitive goal for the first team. Lyon's goal in the 69th minute gave Lyon a 2–1 lead, which would be the final score. Lacazette made his European club debut against Benfica in 2010–11 UEFA Champions League Group B away matches, competing as a replacement in Lyon's second half with Lyon trailing 4–0. Minutes after being brought onto the pitch, he assisted Lyon's opening goal, scored by Yoann Gourcuff in the 75th minute. He also contributed to Lyon's second goal, who was scored by Bafétimbi Gomis in the 85th minute. Lyon, on the other hand, were unable to complete the comeback, losing 4-3. In Lyon's final Group B match, Lacazette scored his first European club competition goal of his career, scoring the 88th equalizer in the 2–2 home draw against Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv on December 7th.

Lacazette scored Lyon's only goal in the 2014 Coupe de la Ligue Final against Paris Saint-Germain, but his team lost 2–1.

Lacazette signed a two-year contract in September 2014, ties him to the club until 2018. In a 3–0 home victory over Lille on October 5, he scored his first hat-trick on October 5th, scoring all the goals. Lacazette set a record for Ligue 1 or Division 1 goals scored in a single season in 2015, defeating Reims 4–2; André Guy had scored a total of 25 Division 1 goals in a single season from 1966 to 1969. He was ranked the top scorer in Ligue 1 during the 2014–15 season, scoring a total of 27 goals. Lacazette had a fruitful season in 2014-2015, being named Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the 2014-2015 season.

Lacazette signed a new deal with Lyon on August 8, 2015, extending his contract with the Lyon franchise until 2020 amid transfer rumors from several Premier League clubs, such as Arsenal after his break-out season. In a 3–0 home win over Saint-Étienne, he scored all of the goals. In a 4–1 victory over Troyes in a Ligue 1 match, he scored his first goal at the newly opened Parc Olympique Lyonnais on January 9, 2016.

Lacazette scored two goals in Lyon's 2–1 away victory over Toulouse in Ligue 1 on October 29, 2016, becoming Lyon's fourth-most prolific scorer in Lyon's history. In the 72nd minute of Lyon's 2016-20 UEFA Champions League group stage group H, he scored the only goal by slotting home Rafael's rolled cross from close range.

Lacazette reportedly revealed to television that he planned to leave Olympique Lyonnais in the summer of 2017. Jean-Michel Aulas, the club's president, denied that Lacazette had asked to leave this summer and said that Lacazette's remarks were taken out of context by the media on Tuesday.

In May 2017, it was announced that a verbal deal had been reached for Lacazette to join Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2017, but that fell through on June 1, 2017, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Atlético's ban on signing minors, which was suspended on the club in July 2016.

Lacazette completed a five-year contract with Arsenal for a club record fee on July 5th; Lyon revealed that the fee was up to €7 million (£6.1 million) in potential compensation as a result of a free transfer. The fee was the most Lyon ever earned from a player's auction, beating the record of €41.5 million (£37.7 million) set by Corentin Tolisso three weeks earlier. Arsenal also paid Mesut zil a €50 million (£42.5 million) transfer fee in 2013. The number 9 jersey was given to Lacazette.

Lacazette made his first appearance for Arsenal in the 2017 FA Community Shield against Chelsea on August 6, 2017. Arsenal lost 4–1 on penalties after the game ended 1–1 at full time despite hitting the post midway through the first half. Arsenal's first trophy triumph was he won. Lacazette scored in 94 seconds against Leicester City on August 11th, giving Arsenal a 1–0 lead in an eventual 4–3 victory. Lacazette won both of Arsenal's next home games, scoring Arsenal's second in a 3–0 win over Bournemouth, before giving the club a brace against West Bromwich Albion. Lacazette became the first Arsenal player to score in his first three home league appearances for the club since Brian Marwood in September 1988.

In Arsenal's 5–2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park, Lacazette scored his first away goal, leading to a pass from Mesut zil to his third goal. Despite not starting the game, Lacazette scored his sixth goal of the season in Arsenal's 3-1 loss to Manchester City. Lacazette scored Arsenal's first goal in a 5–0 victory over Huddersfield Town in November, and in December, he scored Arsenal's first goal in a 3–1 home loss to Manchester United.

Lacazette returned to the Arsenal squad in March after a protracted period of injury for the team, where he replaced Danny Welbeck in the 61st minute and gave the Gunners' third goal of the game. In a 4–1 victory over CSKA Moscow, Lacazette would score twice on his Europa League debut for the club, marking his first goal in European competition for the club. Lacazette scored in the Europa League semi-final 1–1 draw with Atlético Madrid for his third goal in European football for Arsenal. Lacazette's seventh goal in seven games for the club after recovering from injury. Lacazette scored in Arsène Wenger's final home game, a 5–0 victory over Burnley, the team's second goal and his 14th league goal of the season, as well as an assister.

Lacazette found himself dropped to the bench under new boss Unai Emery, making substitute appearances against Manchester City, Chelsea, and West Ham United following Arsène Wenger's resignation. In Arsenal's 3–2 home win over Cardiff City on September 2nd, where he contributed an assist and scored his first goal of the season. Lacazette made his first start under Emery. Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2-0, taking third place and two points ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester United's second goal in a 2–0 victory, putting Arsenal into third place and two points clear of rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester United. Lacazette's 13th goal of the season in the Premier League came thanks to the goal. Arsenal supporters voted Lacazette as the team's player of the season on May 3, 2019.

Lacazette scored his first goal of the 2019-2021 season in Arsenal's home opener, a 2–1 victory over Burnley on August 17th. Arsenal won their 14th FA Cup against Chelsea on August 1, 2020, with Lacazette selected to begin in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea.

In a 3–0 victory over Fulham on September 12, Lacazette scored Arsenal's first league goal of the 2020-2021 season. On Arsenal's official website, he scored three goals in three league starts in September and was named runner up of Player of the Month. Lacazette scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in North London derby on March 14, 2021, becoming the first Arsenal player to score in three consecutive home league games against their North London rival since 2008. In a 3–0 win over Sheffield United, he scored his 50th Premier League goal. He finished the season as Arsenal's top goalcorer in the Premier League with 13 goals.

Arsenal reported on June 3rd that Lacazette will leave the club following his deal's expiration on June 30.

Lacazette returned to Lyon on June 20, 2022, after completing a three-year deal with the club. In a 2–1 home victory, he scored his first goal of his second stint with the club, starting with the penalty spot against AC Ajaccio.

International career

Lacazette has competed for all of France's national youth teams, beginning with the under-16 team's victory over Cameroon on March 3, 2007. He had four appearances in the tournament, leading off his campaign. Lacazette was a regular on the under-17 team and assisted in the team's qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship. In the team's 2–1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in the group stage, he scored the game-winning goal. France later advanced to the final, where Spain defeated the team 4–0.

Lacazette made his debut in the team's match against Ukraine as part of the under-18 team. In ten of the eleven matches where the team contested scoring one goal, against Denmark in the Tournoi de Limoges, he appeared in ten of the eleven matches. Coach Francis Smerecki called Lacazette back to the team after a 4–2 loss against the Netherlands on November 9, 2009. In a 2–1 victory over Ukraine on March 4, 2010, he scored his first goal for the team. Lacazette was selected to coach Smerecki's 18-man squad for the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship on Sunday 7th. In the team's 5–0 Group A victory over Austria, he scored two goals in the tournament. France advanced to the final where they met Spain, essentially made up of the same players that defeated France in the 2008 European Under-17 Football Championship final, with Spain being essentially made up of the same players. France came back from a goal down to win 2–1 with Lacazette netting the game-winning goal in the 85th minute after heading in a cross from Gal Kakuta. France also gained their second UEFA European Under-19 championship title.

The country qualified for the 2011 FIFA Under-19 World Cup after France's triumph at the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 championship. Lacazette made appearances for the under-20 team as a result of this. In a friendly match against Portugal, he made his under-20 team debut on October 7th. Lacazette scored the first goal of the game, and the match ended 3-3. Lacazette scored a double in the team's 5–0 thrashing of the Juventus Primavera team three days later. The match was unofficial and was fought as part of the Treaty of Turin's commemoration. In a 2–1 victory over England on February 9, Lacazette scored the game-winning goal. Lacazette scored goals in back-to-back matches against Peru in March 2011.

He was selected in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals on June 10, 2011. On the 30th of July 2011, he made his debut in France's first Group A match against Colombia (France lost the match 4–1) and appeared as a replacement). Lacazette appeared as a replacement in the team's next Group A match against South Korea, winning by 3–1. In France's last Group A match, he scored a single goal, defeating Mali 2–0. In the quarterfinal victory over Nigeria and one goal in the third place match against Mexico, Lacazette scored twice. He finished as the tournament's joint top scorer with 5 goals, as well as Henrique Almeida and Vázquez.

Following Jérémy Ménez' withdrawal from the senior team due to injury, Lacazette received his first call-up to the senior squad on May 23. In a 0–1 friendly loss against Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on June 5, he made his international debut on June 5th as a 58th-minute replacement for Olivier Giroud. Lacazette scored his first international goal on March 29, 2015, the first international victory over Denmark at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne. During the game, he was booed by several of the local supporters due to their rivalry with Lyon. During a friendly against Germany on November 14, Lacazette netted a brace for France, ending in a draw by a 2–2 draw.

He was named on the standby list for the 23-man French squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia on May 17th.

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