Red Devils cry after injury, but medical scans remain positive
Loïs Openda experienced an emotional evening on Friday against his former club RC Lens. The 26‑year‑old striker of Olympique Lyon had to leave the pitch injured and walked off in tears, while the initial examinations delivered reassuring news. The Red Devil found himself confronted with both pain and uncertainty.
Emotional evening against Lens
The footage of Openda’s broken sprint was unsettling; with assistance from the medical staff he left the field against "his" Racing Lens. The Belgian striker broke down in tears, but whether this stemmed from frustration over the disrupted reunion or fear of a serious injury remained unclear. For Openda the setback came after a disappointing international break, in which he only played a few minutes against Turkey and in Paris.
After a disastrous season at Juventus, Openda is trying to rediscover his best level at Olympique Lyon. In ten matches across all competitions he has scored twice for OL, but his influence goes beyond those numbers: he adds depth, puts defenses under pressure and appears to be finding enjoyment on the pitch again. Mark van Bommel recalled Openda to the squad after he missed the 2026 World Cup, but his regular place in the national team has not yet been regained.
Red Devil sees Openda in tears after dramatic injury in Lens
Medical examination offers hope
The first examinations of the injury fortunately do not sound overly alarming; a long‑term absence does not appear to be required according to the scans. Openda will likely have to miss a few matches, but a serious injury that was initially suggested has been ruled out.
According to the French Le Progrès, the likelihood is very small that the Belgian will feature on Thursday against Crystal Palace, and he also remains uncertain for the subsequent home clash with OGC Nice. For Openda this means a short interruption, while the medical findings give him the opportunity to return quickly.
The contrast between the tears on the line and the reassuring medical result underscores that emotion and fact do not always go hand in hand. While the Red Devil is still out of action for a while, the first examination indicates that he could soon contribute again to Olympique Lyon.