Maxime Gonalons
Encyclopedia
Maxime Gonalons is a French football player who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais
in Ligue 1
. A graduate of the Olympique Lyonnais youth academy
, he plays as a defensive midfielder
.
since the age of 10 climbing through the club's youth sections after joining the club from local outfit FC Villefranche
. For the 2007–08 season
, at the age of 18, he was promoted to the club's Championnat de France amateur team appearing in 26 matches scoring two goals. Lyon finished in a respectable 7th in their group, but weren't allowed progression to the playoffs. The next season, he again spent with the CFA squad, however, during the summer leading up to the season, Gonalons picked up a staph infection on his ankle, which was, at one point, deemed career threatening with reportedly future diagnosis of sepsis
and amputation
. However, over the course of the season, Gonalons gradually got back into playing shape and eventually returned to the team. He made 24 appearances scoring 3 goals, one each against local rivals AS Lyon Duchère
and Saint-Étienne
, and one against Marignane
. Lyon finished first among professional clubs in the group and qualified for the playoffs. Gonalons started both the 4–3 semi-final win on penalties and the 3–0 victory over Sochaux
in the final picking up a yellow card
.
playoff round match against Anderlecht appearing as a substitute in the 73rd minute for Jérémy Toulalan
.
On 20 October, after coming on as a 42nd minute substitute for the injured Brazil
ian Cris
, Gonalons scored his first professional goal against Liverpool
at Anfield
, in the 72nd minute, in the UEFA Champions League
. The equalizing goal drew the match level at 1–1 and Lyon went on to win the match 2–1 with a goal from César Delgado
in injury time. On 16 January 2010, Gonalons scored his first career league goal against Nancy
. Ten days later, Gonalons and Lyon agreed to contract extension, which will keep the midfielder at the club until 2014.
having previously earned caps with the under-19 team
in qualification
for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
, which the team failed to qualify for following their elimination from the Elite Round
portion of the competition. On 5 November 2009, following his successful play with Lyon, Gonalons was called up to the under-21 team
for the first time by coach Erick Mombaerts
for a friendly against Tunisia and a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
match against Slovenia
. Gonalons made his under-21 debut in the Tunisia match, but missed the match against Slovenia after withdrawing from the team due to an injury suffered the previous day in training.
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. A graduate of the Olympique Lyonnais youth academy
Olympique Lyonnais Reserves and Academy
The Olympique Lyonnais Reserves & Academy are the reserve team and academy of French club Olympique Lyonnais. The reserves squad play in the Championnat de France amateur division, the fourth division of French football and the highest division the team is allowed to participate in. Lyon have won...
, he plays as a defensive midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Youth career
Gonalons has been with Olympique LyonnaisOlympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
since the age of 10 climbing through the club's youth sections after joining the club from local outfit FC Villefranche
FC Villefranche
Football Club Villefranche-Beaujolais is a French association football club founded in 1927. They are based in Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône-Alpes and are currently playing in the Championnat de France amateur Group B, the fourth tier in the French football league system...
. For the 2007–08 season
CFA 2007-08
The 2007–08 Championnat de France Amateurs season was the 10th edition of the competition since its establishment. The competition officially began on 11 August 2007 and ended in May 2008...
, at the age of 18, he was promoted to the club's Championnat de France amateur team appearing in 26 matches scoring two goals. Lyon finished in a respectable 7th in their group, but weren't allowed progression to the playoffs. The next season, he again spent with the CFA squad, however, during the summer leading up to the season, Gonalons picked up a staph infection on his ankle, which was, at one point, deemed career threatening with reportedly future diagnosis of sepsis
Sepsis
Sepsis is a potentially deadly medical condition that is characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state and the presence of a known or suspected infection. The body may develop this inflammatory response by the immune system to microbes in the blood, urine, lungs, skin, or other tissues...
and amputation
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
. However, over the course of the season, Gonalons gradually got back into playing shape and eventually returned to the team. He made 24 appearances scoring 3 goals, one each against local rivals AS Lyon Duchère
AS Lyon Duchère
L'Association Sportive Lyon la Duchère is a French association football team founded in 1964. They are based in Lyon, France and are currently playing in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group B, the fourth tier in the French football league system...
and Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
, and one against Marignane
US Marignane
Union Sportive Marignanaise is a French football club based in Marignane, Bouches-du-Rhône. It was founded in 1924. The club currently plays in the Championnat de France Amateurs, the fourth tier of the French league system.- Current squad :...
. Lyon finished first among professional clubs in the group and qualified for the playoffs. Gonalons started both the 4–3 semi-final win on penalties and the 3–0 victory over Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
in the final picking up a yellow card
Penalty card
A penalty card is used in many sports as a means of warning, reprimanding or penalising a player, coach or team official. Penalty cards are most commonly used by referees or umpires to indicate that a player has committed an offense. The referee will hold the card above his or her head while...
.
Professional career
Following the season, on 6 July 2009, Gonalons signed his first professional contract agreeing to a one-year deal with the club. The club does have the option to keep him for the next two seasons over after the one-year deal expires. Gonalons was assigned the number 41 shirt and trained with the senior team during pre-season. He made his professional debut on 25 August 2009 in the second leg of the club's UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
playoff round match against Anderlecht appearing as a substitute in the 73rd minute for Jérémy Toulalan
Jérémy Toulalan
Jérémy Toulalan is a French footballer who currently plays for Málaga CF in La Liga. His usual position is as a defensive midfielder, but he can also be utilized as a central defender. He is best known for his shy and humble demeanor, simple distribution, good technique, and effective...
.
On 20 October, after coming on as a 42nd minute substitute for the injured Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Cris
Cristiano Marques Gomes
Cristiano Marques Gomes or simply Cris, is a Brazilian footballer. He currently plays for Olympique Lyonnais as a centre back and has also represented his country. Also nicknamed "the policeman" by way of reference to his authoritarian nature on the pitch and his four months experience in a police...
, Gonalons scored his first professional goal against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
, in the 72nd minute, in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. The equalizing goal drew the match level at 1–1 and Lyon went on to win the match 2–1 with a goal from César Delgado
César Delgado
César Fabián Delgado Godoy is an Argentine footballer. He plays for Monterrey. His nickname "El Chelito" is derived from that of Marcelo Delgado because of their same last name.-Career:...
in injury time. On 16 January 2010, Gonalons scored his first career league goal against Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
. Ten days later, Gonalons and Lyon agreed to contract extension, which will keep the midfielder at the club until 2014.
International career
Gonalons is a French youth internationalFrance national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
having previously earned caps with the under-19 team
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
in qualification
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification
UEFA U-19 Championship 2008 was the first round of qualifications for the Final Tournament of 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. 52 teams are split into 13 groups of 4 and teams in each group play each other once. The top two teams in each group and the two best third-placed teams...
for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was the 24th UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, UEFA's premier competition for players under the age of 19. The tournament was held in the Czech Republic with matches played from 14 July to 26 July 2008. Players born...
, which the team failed to qualify for following their elimination from the Elite Round
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification
UEFA U-19 Championship 2008 is the second round of qualifications for the Final Tournament of UEFA U-19 Championship 2008. The winners of each group join hosts Czech Republic at the Final Tournament.-Group 1:--------------------...
portion of the competition. On 5 November 2009, following his successful play with Lyon, Gonalons was called up to the under-21 team
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
for the first time by coach Erick Mombaerts
Erick Mombaerts
Erick Mombaerts is a French football coach and retired player. He is currently involved with the youth sections of the French national side.-Playing career:...
for a friendly against Tunisia and a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
The 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship started with a qualifying competition which began on 27 March 2009 and finished on 13 October 2010. The final tournament is being held in Denmark between 11–25 June 2011....
match against Slovenia
Slovenia national under-21 football team
The Slovenia national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia.-Current squad:...
. Gonalons made his under-21 debut in the Tunisia match, but missed the match against Slovenia after withdrawing from the team due to an injury suffered the previous day in training.
Career statistics
As of 18 January 2010| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Olympique Lyonnais Olympique Lyonnais Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The... |
2009–10 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Ligue 1 The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011... |
14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 29 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 2 | 1 | |
| Career total | 29 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 2 | 1 | |