Yohannes targets UWCL glory with Lyon after 4-0 final defeat to Barcelona

Lily Yohannes is channelling the pain of a 4-0 Champions League final defeat into fuel for a second tilt at European glory with Lyon. The 19-year-old American midfielder, now in her second season at the eight-time European champions, says the experience of reaching last season’s final — and losing it so heavily to Barcelona — has sharpened rather than diminished her ambitions.

“I’m motivated, I’m hungry,” Yohannes said. “Just playing in big matches, playing Champions League football, playing in a final — these are experiences that I take with me, how to handle these pressure situations.”

Yohannes joined Lyon from Ajax in 2025 and has established herself quickly in a squad that includes Wendie Renard, Ada Hegerberg and Melchie Dumornay. She credits daily exposure to those experienced teammates as a key driver of her development. “Learning from the big names in the locker room who have done it so many times, just seeing how they are on a daily basis, on the training ground, how they prepare themselves, asking them questions — I think that’s helped me and pushed me.”

Lyon have made an emphatic start to this season’s UWCL campaign, beating Servette 8-0 and Inter Milan 6-0, with a draw against Chelsea the only blemish across their opening three group matches. Yohannes contributed a standout long-range lob against Inter to get herself on the scoresheet.

The club’s ambitions extend well beyond Europe. “Our goals stay the same always — to win all four trophies, and that’s something we are striving for this season,” Yohannes said. “I can say that I’m feeling the momentum, the good feels and the good vibes from everyone, so we take it game by game, and we keep pushing.”

Her growth has also been shaped at international level under United States head coach Emma Hayes. “Emma and I have a great relationship,” Yohannes said. “She’s constantly talking to me and pushing me to continue my development. The experiences that she’s given me on the international level have undoubtedly helped me to grow and develop.”

The recognition is arriving off the pitch too. Yohannes was nominated for Young Talent of the Year at the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with former USWNT forward Alex Morgan naming her as her top pick for the prize. Barcelona’s Vicky Lopez ultimately claimed the award, but the nomination underlines how quickly Yohannes has established herself as one of the game’s most compelling young talents.