Bernard Lacombe, a legendary French striker who won the 1984 European Championship with France, passed away on June 17, 2025, at the age of 72 after a long illness. Born in Lyon on August 15, 1952, Lacombe left an indelible mark on French football as a prolific goal-scorer and a key figure at clubs like Lyon and Bordeaux. His death marks the loss of the first member of France’s Euro 1984-winning squad, a team celebrated for securing the nation’s first major international trophy on home soil. Lacombe’s career, spanning 18 years, showcased his lethal finishing and enduring influence both on and off the pitch.
Lacombe’s professional journey began in 1969 with his hometown club, Olympique Lyonnais, where he quickly established himself as a formidable striker. Over his career, he also played for Saint-Étienne and Bordeaux, amassing 255 goals in 497 Ligue 1 matches, a record only surpassed by Argentine Delio Onnis. His clinical scoring ability earned him three Ligue 1 titles with Bordeaux and two Coupe de France trophies, one with Lyon and one with Bordeaux. Lacombe’s standout moment came in the 1973 Coupe de France final, where he scored, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer. His 304 goals in 592 appearances across all competitions underscored his consistency and flair.
On the international stage, Lacombe earned 38 caps for France, scoring 12 goals. His most iconic contribution was at the 1978 World Cup, where he netted after just 30 seconds against Italy, setting a record for France’s fastest-ever World Cup goal. In 1984, he started in France’s 2-0 victory over Spain in the Euro final, playing alongside Michel Platini in a golden era for Les Bleus. Lacombe also represented France at the 1982 World Cup, further solidifying his status as a national hero. His goals and presence helped elevate France’s standing in global football during a transformative period.
After retiring in 1987, Lacombe returned to Lyon, where he left a lasting legacy beyond playing. He managed the club from 1996 to 2000, guiding them to seven consecutive UEFA Champions League appearances and winning the 1997 Intertoto Cup. As a special advisor to president Jean-Michel Aulas for two decades, Lacombe played a pivotal role in Lyon’s success, including retaining key Brazilian talents like Juninho. His deep connection to Lyon, his birthplace, made him a revered figure, with the club mourning him as “our legend, the greatest of all” in a heartfelt statement.
Tributes poured in from across the football world, reflecting Lacombe’s profound impact. Bordeaux, where he scored 137 goals in 297 matches, called him “a striker of rare elegance.” French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo praised him as “one of the greatest strikers in French football history,” noting his inspirational role for future generations. Lacombe’s death, after over six months of hospitalization, leaves a void in French football, but his legacy as a champion, record-breaker, and Lyon icon endures, cherished by fans and peers
