Lyon’s 18-year-old striker Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez is pushing for a bigger role ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 trip to Brest, after a brief substitute appearance against Real Sociedad left him publicly hungry for more, Lyon Foot reported. With Loïs Openda and Pavel Šulc absent and Ernest Nuamah’s availability uncertain, head coach Jorge Maciel has limited attacking choices at the Stade Francis-Le Blé — and Gomes Rodriguez is positioning himself as the next option up front.
The teenager came on in the 89th minute of Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League draw at Real Sociedad’s Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastián, replacing Khalis Merah and winning a free kick in stoppage time. Minutes later he posted “Hungry for more” on Instagram, a message that underlined his desire to keep playing after a short European cameo.
What he said after the Real Sociedad cameo
Gomes Rodriguez used the post-match moment to spell out his mindset. He said he was glad to get on the pitch, that he had to run and work to protect the draw, and that he trains hard and is ready to take any opportunity that comes his way. His message framed his role plainly: as a striker, he wants to score goals.
Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez ouvre l’appétit avant Brest-OL https://t.co/FLqfqogai5
Why Brest could offer him a chance
Lyon’s attacking depth is stretched: Openda and Šulc are out, and Nuamah’s status remains uncertain, leaving Maciel with few proven options. Maciel started Merah as the central striker against Real Sociedad, but Gomes Rodriguez is another option at that position, even if nothing guarantees a start at the Stade Francis-Le Blé in Brest, France.
A goal record that spans Munich, Annecy and the youth levels
The 18-year-old has shown he can find the net at different levels. In preseason he scored in the 83rd minute of a 2-1 friendly defeat to Bayern Munich on Aug. 2, 2025. A loan to Annecy last spring gave him 13 Ligue 2 appearances, two goals and one assist. This season he has also scored for Lyon’s reserve side and for his country’s under-19 team, including against Norway in late September.
What comes next for Lyon in Ligue 1
After his first European minutes of the season, Gomes Rodriguez now waits to extend his time on the pitch at Sunday’s match at Brest. Lyon play Brest at the Stade Francis-Le Blé on Sunday in Ligue 1.
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