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Khalis Merah
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Khalis Merah (born 24 February 2007) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Lyon.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Born in Meyzieu in the Metropolis of Lyon, Merah started his youth career at the local US Meyzieu. In July 2016, he joined the youth academy of region giants Lyon.[2]
On 24 February 2025, on his 18th birthday, Merah signed his first professional contract with Lyon, tying him to the club until June 2027.[3] He captained Lyon under-19s side during the 2024–25 season, before being integrated to Lyon reserves team that the end of the season, where he made his senior debut at the Championnat National 3.[4][5]
Ahead of the 2025–26 season, Merah was promoted to Lyon's first team by coach Paulo Fonseca.[6][7] He earned his first official appearance for Lyon on 16 August 2025 in a 1–0 away win over Lens during the first matchday of the 2025–26 Ligue 1, coming in as a substitute in the 66th minute.[8] Shortly after his professional debut, on 26 August, Merah extended his contract with Lyon until 2029.[9] Five days later, he earned his first start for Les Gones, playing 71 minutes in the 1–0 victory over Marseille in the Choc des Olympiques.[10] Following his impressive performances, Merah was given the Pépite du mois award for the best youth talent of the month in Ligue 1.[11]
International career
[edit]Merah appeared twice for France U16 in March 2023.[12]
In October 2025, Merah was initially called up to France U20 squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, but Lyon refused to release the player as the competition was held outside the FIFA International Match Calendar.[13]
Playing style
[edit]Merah is a versatile midfielder. He is capable of anchoring the midfield as a defensive midfielder and as a central midfielder.[14][15] Despite his once slight physique, he has compensated with exceptional positional awareness. He is also known for his proficiency in set pieces.[16][17]
Personal life
[edit]Merah was born and raised in France to parents of Algerian descent.[18]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 15 February 2026
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lyon B | 2024–25 | National 3 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| Lyon | 2025–26 | Ligue 1 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8[a] | 1 | — | 24 | 1 | |
| Career total | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | ||
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
References
[edit]- ^ "Khalis Merah". fff.fr. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ "Football. OL : premier contrat professionnel pour le jeune Khalis Merah". Le Progrès. 25 February 2025.
- ^ "Communiqué de presse : 1er contrat professionnel pour Khalis Merah". Olympique Lyonnais (in French). 24 February 2025.
- ^ "OL : Khalis Merah, le nouveau diamant brut de l'académie lyonnaise" (in French). Ouest-France. 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Merah, "l'archétype du joueur sorti par l'OL"" (in French). Olympique et Lyonnais. 1 August 2025.
- ^ "Football. OL : qui sont les jeunes pousses de la pré-saison ?". Le Progrès (in French). 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Khalis Merah, la recrue inattendue de l'OL". Foot Mercato (in French). 31 July 2025.
- ^ "OL: Jorge Maciel impressionné par l'entrée de Khalis Merah face au RC Lens" (in French). Ouest-France. 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Khalis Merah prolonge jusqu'en 2029". Olympique Lyonnais (in French). 26 August 2025.
- ^ "OL : apprentissage express pour Khalis Merah contre l'OM". Olympique et Lyonnais (in French). 3 September 2025.
- ^ "Khalis Merah (OL) élu "Pépite du mois d'août" en Ligue 1". Lyon Foot (in French). 19 September 2025.
- ^ "OL - Académie : première sélection pour Khalis Merah avec l'équipe de France U16". olympique-et-lyonnais.com (in French). 9 March 2025.
- ^ "Les clubs ont-ils fait jouer les jeunes qu'ils ont refusé d'envoyer à la Coupe du monde U20 ?" (in French). L'Équipe. 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Les Gones du mois (mars)" (in French). Café du Commerce. 12 April 2024.
- ^ "OL : Khalis Merah, le remplaçant trouvé à Cherki ?" (in French). Orange Sports.
- ^ "Khalis Merah : 5 choses à savoir sur la nouvelle pépite de l'OL". football365.fr. 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Franco-Algerian midfielder Khalis Merah impresses Fonseca with standout pre-season at Lyon". africasoccer.com. 2 August 2025.
- ^ "Un nouveau pro de l'OL éligible avec l'Algérie". Afrik Foot (in French). 25 February 2025.
External links
[edit]- Khalis Merah at Soccerway