Former Serbian international Nemanja Matic has officially parted ways with Lyon after reaching what the club described as an “amicable” agreement for the early termination of his contract, originally set to run until June 2026.
The 37-year-old midfielder, who joined Lyon in January 2024 from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes, played a crucial role during a turbulent yet ultimately successful second half of the 2023-2024 season. His experience and leadership were vital as Lyon climbed from bottom of the table at the winter break to finish sixth in the league, securing Europa League qualification and reaching the French Cup final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite his contributions on the pitch, Matic’s exit is part of the club’s broader strategy to reduce its wage bill. As one of Lyon’s highest earners, his departure aligns with financial restructuring plans ahead of the new campaign.
In a statement released on Thursday, the club confirmed the mutual termination, emphasizing the positive nature of the discussions: “Olympique Lyonnais thanks Nemanja Matic for his professionalism and the impact he had on and off the pitch during his time with the club. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Matic made 58 appearances in total for Lyon and was a consistent presence in midfield throughout his short stint at the club. Known for his calm demeanor, positional intelligence, and physicality, he brought a wealth of top-level experience from previous spells at Manchester United, Chelsea, and Benfica.
His international career spanned over a decade, during which he earned 48 caps for Serbia between 2008 and 2020, establishing himself as one of the country’s most reliable midfield figures.
Lyon are set to begin their Ligue 1 campaign away at RC Lens on Saturday, and Matic’s absence will mark the end of a brief yet impactful chapter for both the player and the club.
While there is no immediate confirmation on Matic’s next move, his departure opens the door to either retirement or one final venture in football, possibly outside of Europe.
For Lyon, the challenge now lies in maintaining their momentum without one of the midfield anchors who helped drive their remarkable turnaround just months ago.
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