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Early retirement

Why Lyon players and fans held up Gueida Fofana’s shirt after they scored in 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Marseille

Lyon players remembered one of their own after he was forced to retire from football at the age of just 25

LYON players held up a shirt to remember former team-mate Gueida Fofana during the 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Marseille.

After Mathieu Valbuena scored his sides opener against Marseille, the whole team ran over to the bench to lift up Fofana's shirt in a touching tribute -  Fofana has been forced to retire aged just 25

Gueida Fofana in action against Eden Hazard in his early career
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Gueida Fofana in action against Eden Hazard in his early careerCredit: Getty Images
Lyon players held Fofana's shirt in the air in their 3-1 win over Marseille on Sunday night
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Lyon players held Fofana's shirt in the air in their 3-1 win over Marseille on Sunday nightCredit: AP:Associated Press
Alexandre Lacazette and Mathieu Valbuena celebrate after scoring for Olympique Lyon
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Alexandre Lacazette and Mathieu Valbuena celebrate after scoring for Olympique LyonCredit: Reuters

Fofana was forced to retire after battling chronic ankle problems and has not played a single match for the first team this season.

The pain and the constant breakdown in recovery has got too much for the 25-year-old, who has decided to call it a day on his career.

Fofana said on the club's website last week: "After my last game against Grenoble, my ankle was again very painful, I let the inflammation subside and then I followed a new protocol after the summer.

''I made time to try and give my ankle time regenerate.

"I have really tried everything but today I am unfortunately obliged to note that it is no longer possible.

"The state in which my ankle is in does not allow me to play football.''

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He added: "Yes, I tried everything.

"I had several interventions, made every effort, took all the necessary time, but the record is there, it is a terrible observation but I was declared unfit for the practice of soccer."

The midfielder will likely stay on with Lyon in some capacity with the club president Jean-Michel Aulas offering him a role behind the scenes.

Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after he scored a goal against Marseille
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Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after he scored a goal against MarseilleCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lyon players celebrate after Lyon's French forward Mathieu Valbuena scored a goal
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Lyon players celebrate after Lyon's French forward Mathieu Valbuena scored a goalCredit: Getty Images

Fofana revealed: "After I was declared unfit, I met President Aulas and he explained to me that he wanted to keep me at the club.

"I will take time to reflect because I have already had several proposals in and outside of football but I think I will choose to stay at the OL.

"I liked the words and the project of Jean-Michel Aulas – I will decide very quickly."

Fofana scored nine goals in his six years with the club, its a sad end to a once very promising career.

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