There is a strong chance that Nicolás Tagliafico will leave Olympique Lyon this summer. The former Ajax player has indicated that he and his partner are still struggling to settle in France, with the World Cup in Qatar also playing a role in their situation.
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Nicolás Tagliafico was in action on Sunday in Lyon’s 2-3 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine played the full 90 minutes and remains a key figure for the team when fit, but off the pitch, his time in France has not gone as he had hoped. Since leaving Ajax for Lyon in the summer of 2022, the left-back has struggled to settle in the country, facing challenges that go beyond football.
The player, who has earned 67 caps for Argentina, is under contract with Lyon until the upcoming summer, but the possibility of an early departure is becoming increasingly likely. Until recently, Tagliafico had been reluctant to comment on his future, but after the loss to PSG, he opened up about his situation, revealing that he and his partner have never truly felt at home in France. Among the reasons leading him to consider a departure are the difficulties with the language and culture, as well as unsettling incidents such as two burglaries at his residence, which have made adapting to his new country even more difficult.
The Argentine admitted that his move to Lyon has not had the positive impact he expected and that life outside football has been challenging. In an interview with the Argentine media outlet Infobae, he revealed that despite his professional dedication, his daily routine has been marked by isolation. According to him, the lack of a comfortable social environment and the difficulties of communicating in French have made the adaptation process harder, turning his Ligue 1 experience into something less fulfilling than he initially anticipated when leaving the Netherlands.
Beyond personal struggles, Tagliafico feels that since the 2022 World Cup final, in which Argentina defeated France, the perception of Argentine players in French football has changed. Since that dramatic penalty shootout victory, which left French fans in shock, the left-back has noticed a shift in attitude toward Argentinians playing in Ligue 1. He stated that when results don’t go as expected, criticism is often directed at the Argentine players, something he believes is a reflection of the emotional impact of that World Cup defeat on French football. For a player who helped Argentina secure their third world title, this change in treatment has been yet another obstacle during his time in Lyon.
As the season progresses and Lyon remains far from competing for the top spots in Ligue 1, uncertainty surrounding Tagliafico’s future continues to grow. The team has endured an inconsistent season and could undergo significant changes in the summer, increasing the likelihood of his departure. On an individual level, the Argentine remains one of the most experienced and reliable players in the squad, but his struggles off the pitch could lead him to seek a new opportunity elsewhere. At 32 years old, he still has plenty to offer, and several clubs are monitoring his situation. Spain and Italy appear to be potential destinations, and a return to South America is also a possibility if he wishes to be closer to home.
While he remains professional and focused on the challenges ahead with Lyon, the signs suggest that his time in France may be coming to an end. The summer transfer window will be crucial in determining the next steps of his career, and after just two seasons, it would not be surprising if Tagliafico decides that the time has come to move on to a new challenge.
Updated: 03:26, 24 Feb 2025
