Anthony Lopes

Anthony Lopes is a Portuguese professional football player who plays for the Portugal national team and for French club Olympique Lyonnais (simply known as Lyon) as a goalkeeper.

Born on 1 October 1990 in Givors, France, Lopes is the second choice goalkeeper of the Portugal national football team. He is a tall and agile goalkeeper with quick reflexes.

Background

Lopes was born to a French mother and a Portuguese father. He joined local Olympique Lyonnais youth team at the age of 9. He played for Lyon's youth team from the year 2000 to 2008.

He started his professional football career in 2008 with the reserve team of Lyon. He spent four years with Lyon B before being promoted to the first team for the 2012-2013 season. He made his debut on 31 October 2012, in a 1-3 away loss against OGC Nice for the Coupe de la Ligue.

Debut

Lopes opted to represent Portugal and made his International debut on 31 March 2015, in a 0-2 friendly defeat to Cape Verde. He was then selected in Portugal's squad for the 2016 UEFA European Championship held in France which saw Portugal emerge as the champions. He has represented Portugal in six International friendlies so far.

He first represented Portugal at the Under-17 level on 23 January 2007. He then went on to play for Portugal U18, U19, U20 and U21 teams. It was his impressive performance for the Under-21 side that earned him a national call-up.

Club Career

Lopes has been Lyon’s key player since he has joined them. He has made 178 appearances for Lyon and has made many astonishing saves with his goalkeeping skills.

After making his debut for the club in the 2012-13 season, he has been their first-choice goalkeeper since the 2013-14 Ligue 1 season.

His maiden appearance in Ligue 1 took place on 28 April 2013, in a 1-1 home draw against AS Saint-Etienne in the Derby during Rhone where he made a stunning close-range save from Aubameyang.

He made his UEFA champions league debut on 16 September 2015, in a 1-1 draw against Hubert Fournier. In his presence, Lyon had finished as runner-up in the Ligue 1 in two successive seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16).