Julien Duranville’s mysterious Lyon absence fuels Belgium doubts

Twenty‑year‑old winger Julien Duranville has not featured for Olympique Lyonnais since 22 August, missing the squad for the upcoming Ligue 1 trip to Stade Bollaert and also being omitted from Belgium’s recent international window, leaving his future at both club and country in doubt.

Limited minutes and €5 million price tag

Duranville has made only two appearances this season, totalling 68 minutes of play. He arrived in Lyon after a €5 million transfer from Dortmund, a fee that raised expectations for a rapid impact on the wing.

Coach’s praise meets internal doubts

Head coach Paulo Fonseca previously described him as “a good player, very good one‑on‑one, who has had injuries but worked hard to return and is a player we believe in for the future.” Yet rumours inside the club suggest his performances have fallen short of expectations and that he is no longer a primary option on the flanks, even after Malick Fofana’s departure.

Future with Belgium uncertain

Simon Hamoir, specialist in foreign football, notes that Duranville has not played since 22 August. The 20‑year‑old, who holds dual Congolese nationality, is already questioning his prospects with the Belgian national team, a switch that would only become legally possible in September 2027.

Ligue 1 blow for Lyon as Mouhamed Ouedraogo faces months out

“Avant, je jonglais pendant les séances en salle,” Duranville confided, recalling his early training habits. He added that he wants to fight for playing time and return to the Lyon group as soon as an opportunity arises.

Despite being featured in the club’s official website article announcing the squad for the European trip to Anderlecht, Duranville never set foot on the pitch at Lotto Park. A brief glimpse of him appears in Thursday’s training video, where he pauses and squints into the background, suggesting the club prefers to keep him out of the spotlight.

He was also “Pas convoqué” for the home clash with Stade Rennes on 19 September, even though he appeared fit. The omission, combined with his exclusion from the Belgian squad, has intensified speculation about his role at Lyon and his international allegiance.

Lyon travel to Stade Bollaert for the Ligue 1 fixture against Lens, and Duranville’s name remains absent from the announced travelling party, meaning his immediate future hinges on whether the coach decides to reinstate him.