Maxime Lopez
{{short description|French footballer (born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Maxime Lopez
| image = Maxime Lopez 2017.jpg
| upright = 0.8
| caption = Lopez with Marseille in 2017
| full_name = Maxime Baila Lopez
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|12|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = Marseille, France{{cite news|url=https://www.om.net/en/equipes/effectifs/joueurs/15142/lopez-maxime|website=Olympique de Marseille|title=Maxime Lopez Player Details|accessdate=4 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408203620/https://www.om.net/en/equipes/effectifs/joueurs/15142/lopez-maxime|archive-date=8 April 2017|url-status=dead}}{{in lang|fr}}
| position = Defensive midfielder
| currentclub = Paris FC
| clubnumber = 21
| youthyears1 = 2003–2010
| youthclubs1 = Burel FC
| youthyears2 = 2010–2016
| youthclubs2 = Marseille
| years1 = 2014–2016
| clubs1 = Marseille II
| caps1 = 30
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2016–2021
| clubs2 = Marseille
| caps2 = 113
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2020–2021
| clubs3 = → Sassuolo (loan)
| caps3 = 22
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2021–2024
| clubs4 = Sassuolo
| caps4 = 74
| goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2023–2024
| clubs5 = → Fiorentina (loan)
| caps5 = 19
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2024–
| clubs6 = Paris FC
| caps6 = 27
| goals6 = 3
| nationalyears1 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam1 = France U20
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2019
| nationalteam2 = France U21
| nationalcaps2 = 13
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 11 May 2025
}}
Maxime Baila Lopez ({{langx|es|López}}, {{IPA|es|ˈlopeθ|pron}}; born 4 December 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for {{French football updater|Paris FC}} club Paris FC.
Lopez is an academy graduate of Marseille, having made his professional debut in August 2016 and appeared in 150 games for the side. He signed for Sassuolo in 2021 following a loan deal at the club. He also represented France internationally at youth level.
Club career
=Marseille=
==Early career==
Born in Marseille, Maxime Lopez is a product of Olympique de Marseille's football academy, having joined in 2010 from F.C. Burel. During his time in the academy he represented the club at U-19 level in the UEFA Youth League.{{cite news|url=https://www.om.net/actualites/113262/maxime-lopez-la-tradition-du-ndeg10|title=Maxime Lopez, la tradition du n°10|website=Olympique de Marseille|last=Haddouchi|first=Karim|date=12 July 2014|accessdate=10 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114100540/https://www.om.net/actualites/113262/maxime-lopez-la-tradition-du-ndeg10|archive-date=14 January 2019|url-status=dead}}{{in lang|fr}} He signed his first professional contract with Marseille on 12 July 2014, and was handed his non-competitive debut by interim manager Franck Passi on the same date two years later in a friendly encounter with Lausanne Sport.{{cite web|last= Wicherek|first=Constant (12 July 2016)|title=Amical : la première compo de l'OM dévoilée|url=http://www.footmercato.net/breves/amical-la-premiere-compo-de-l-om-devoilee_182135|website=Foot Mercato|accessdate=12 July 2016}}{{in lang|fr}}
==2016–17 season==
Lopez made his senior debut for Marseille on 21 August 2016, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute for Bouna Sarr in a 2–1 Ligue 1 away defeat to Guingamp and, just 18-minutes after entering the field of play, assisted Florian Thauvin for Marseille's only goal.{{cite news|last=Eostain|first=Frédéric (22 August 2016)|url=https://www.om.net/actualites/262451/premiere-passe-decisive-pour-lopez|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161121001527/https://www.om.net/actualites/262451/premiere-passe-decisive-pour-lopez|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 November 2016|title=Première passe décisive pour Lopez|website=Olympique de Marseille|accessdate=22 August 2016}}{{in lang|fr}} His home debut at the Stade Vélodrome came on 16 October in Marseille's 1–0 Ligue 1 win over Metz.{{cite news|url=http://www.laprovence.com/actu/en-direct/4162655/om-metz-jen-ai-encore-des-frissons-lopez.html/|title=OM-Metz: "I still have chills" (Lopez)|website=La Provence|date=17 October 2016|accessdate=17 October 2016}}{{in lang|fr}} Later that month, on 30 October, he made his first start for Marseille in a 0–0 Ligue 1 home draw with Bordeaux.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3274/ligue-1/2016/10/31/29027682/meet-maxime-lopez-the-new-nasri-wanted-by-liverpool-and|title=Meet Maxime Lopez: The new Nasri wanted by Liverpool and Arsenal|last=Quelen|first=Julien|website=Goal|date=31 October 2016|accessdate=31 October 2016}} On 20 November, Lopez made 129 touches during Marseille's 1-0 Ligue 1 home win against Caen, which was the most ever by a Marseille player in a single match in recorded history.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3274/ligue-1/2016/11/21/29748822/better-than-verratti-marseilles-new-nasri-is-setting-records|title=Better than Verratti: Marseille's 'new Nasri' is setting records tumbling|last1=Bairner|first1=Robert|first2=Julien|last2=Quelen|website=Goal|date=21 November 2016|accessdate=26 November 2016}} He then scored the first goal of his senior club career on 10 December, netting the opening goal in Marseille's 2–1 Ligue 1 away victory over Dijon.{{cite news|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/marseille-grind-out-win-in-gloom.htm|title=Marseille Grind Out Win in Gloom|website=Ligue 1|date=10 December 2016|accessdate=10 December 2016}} Lopez was later named Ligue 1 Player of the Month in recognition of his performances throughout the month of December.{{cite web|url=http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2017/02/01/maxime-lopez-marseilles-new-star-winning-admirers/|title=Maxime Lopez: Marseille's New Star Winning Admirers|website=French Football Weekly|last=Ali|first=Mohammed|date=1 February 2017|accessdate=4 February 2017}} On 30 April 2017, he scored twice in a 5–1 Ligue 1 away win over Caen, thereby becoming the youngest Marseille player in 30 years to score a brace in Ligue 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/thauvin-and-marseille-sweep-away-caen.htm|website=Ligue 1|title=Thauvin and Marseille Sweep Away Caen|date=30 April 2017|accessdate=3 May 2017}} He ultimately made 35 appearances across all competitions and scored three times in his debut season with Marseille.
==2017–18 season==
File:FC Salzburg versus Olympique Marseille (3. Mai 2018) 18.jpg and Morgan Sanson ahead of Marseille's Europa League encounter with Red Bull Salzburg.]]
The following season, Lopez temporarily retained his starting berth in Marseille's midfield under coach Rudi Garcia, but lost his position following a dip in form during the campaign's opening matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.lephoceen.fr/infos-om/autour-de-l-om/maxime-lopez-un-arret-au-stand-pour-mieux-revenir-157814|title=Maxime Lopez: un arrêt au stand pour mieux revenir?|website=Le Phoceen|date=6 October 2017|accessdate=6 October 2017}}{{in lang|fr}} On 19 October 2017, he scored his first and only goal of the season, and his first ever in European competitions, when he netted in a 2–1 Europa League group-stage win over Vitória de Guimarães.{{cite web|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20171020/432196841270/maxime-lopez-supera-su-crisis-y-se-reivindica.html|title=Maxime Lopez supera su crisis y se reivindica|website=Mundo Deportivo|date=20 October 2017|accessdate=20 February 2018|language=Spanish}} He made his 50th league appearance for Marseille on 15 April 2018 in a 3–2 victory over Troyes.{{cite news|url=https://www.footballclubdemarseille.fr/om-fil-info/om-lopez-20-ans-deja-50-matches-de-l1.html|title=OM: Lopez, 20 ans, deja 50 matches de L1|website=Football Club de Marseille|date=17 April 2018|accessdate=20 April 2018|language=French}} He continued to feature regularly in the club's Europa League campaign and helped the side reach the final of the competition, where he appeared as a substitute in a 3–0 loss to Spanish side, Atlético Madrid.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0245-0e98ccf1cec2-0418a5d239cc-1000--griezmann-inspires-atletico-to-europa-league-glory/
|title=Griezmann inspires Atlético to Europa League glory|publisher=UEFA|date=16 May 2018|access-date=21 May 2018}}
==2018–19 season==
Lopez scored his first goal of the following campaign, and his first in the league since April 2017, in a 1–1 draw with Monaco on 15 January 2019. His performance earned him the man of the match award and saw him named as the highest performing player in the league over the weekend.{{cite news|url= https://www.goal.com/es/noticias/lopez-supera-a-pepe-y-draxler-el-indice-de-rendimiento-de-la/3nn0dmtltygi1b5dku80n8o3i|title= Lopez supera a Pepe y Draxler: El índice de rendimiento de la Ligue 1|publisher=Goal|date=15 January 2019|accessdate=17 January 2019|language=French}} The following week, he made his 100th appearance for the club in a 2–1 league loss to Saint-Étienne.
=Sassuolo=
On 5 October 2020, Lopez joined Serie A club Sassuolo on a season-long loan with option to buy.{{cite news|url=https://www.sassuolocalcio.it/en/in-evidence/transfer-window-maxime-lopez-is-a-new-player-of-sassuolo/|title=Transfer window: Maxime Lopez is a new player of Sassuolo|publisher=U.S. Sassuolo Calcio|date=5 October 2020|accessdate=6 October 2020}} The deal was made permanent in April 2021 after he had played over 30 minutes in 20 Serie A games, triggering an obligation to buy from Marseille. Lopez's contract at Sassuolo would now keep him at the club until June 2025.{{Cite web|date=13 April 2021|title=Maxime Lopez completes move to Sassuolo|url=https://www.football-italia.net/169095/maxime-lopez-completes-move-sassuolo|access-date=14 April 2021|website=Football Italia}}
==Loan to Fiorentina==
On 1 September 2023, Lopez moved to Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy.{{cite web|publisher=Fiorentina|url=https://www.acffiorentina.com/en/news/all/news-men-first-team/2023-09-01/maxime-lopez-is-a-viola|title=MAXIME LOPEZ IS A VIOLA|date=1 September 2023|access-date=1 September 2023}}
= Paris FC =
On 29 August 2024, Lopez signed a three year contract with Paris FC in the French second division after Sassuolo were relegated.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=Maxime Lopez signe au Paris FC - Paris FC |url=https://parisfc.fr/equipe-pro/maxime-lopez-signe-au-paris-fc/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |language=fr-FR}}
Style of play
Due to his Algerian lineage and similar progression through Marseille's academy, Lopez has often been likened to former Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1722/ligue-1/2016/11/08/29027132/meet-maxime-lopez-the-new-nasri-wanted-by-liverpool-and|title=Meet Maxime Lopez: The new Nasri wanted by Liverpool and Arsenal|last=Quelen|first=Julien|website=Goal|date=8 November 2016|accessdate=10 November 2016}} Though small in stature, Lopez has been described as a versatile playmaker capable of fluid movement and quick and intelligent passing.{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2674068-liverpool-transfer-news-latest-on-moussa-marega-and-maxime-lopez-rumours|title=Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Moussa Marega and Maxime Lopez Rumours|last=Dudko|first=James|website=Bleacher Report|date=4 November 2016|accessdate=10 November 2016}}
Personal life
Lopez was born in France to a French father of partially Spanish origin, and an Algerian mother. He holds French and Algerian nationalities.{{Cite web |title=Maxime LOPEZ - |url=https://www.unfp.org/joueur/maxime-lopez-19159/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=www.unfp.org}} His older brother, Julien is also a footballer who plays in the Ligue 2 with Paris FC and was a youth international for Algeria.{{cite web|url=http://www.dzfoot.com/2017/03/14/maxime-lopez-je-suis-focalise-sur-lequipe-de-france-100905.php|title=Maxime Lopez: "I'm focused on the French team"|website=DZFoot|date=14 March 2017|accessdate=16 March 2017}}{{in lang|fr}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 1 November 2024}}{{cite web|title=Maxime Lopez Socceway Profile|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/maxime-lopez/314574//|accessdate=4 November 2016}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de France and Coppa Italia}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5"|Marseille II
|2013–14 |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2014–15
|CFA 2 |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2015–16
|CFA |23 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 2 | ||||
| 2016–17
|CFA |3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!30 | 3 | colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 3 | |||||
| rowspan="6"|Marseille
|30 | 3 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=CDL|Appearance(s) in Coupe de la Ligue}} | 0 | 35 | 3 | ||
| 2017–18
|Ligue 1 |24 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 17{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 1 | |
| 2018–19
|Ligue 1 |32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=CDL}} | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| 2019–20
|Ligue 1 |23 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|Ligue 1 |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!113 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 150 | 5 | |
| Sassuolo (loan)
|2020–21{{efn|Lopez was on loan until 12 April 2021, when the buy option in his deal at Sassuolo was exercised.}} |22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="5"|Sassuolo
|Serie A |7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 1 | |||
| 2021–22
|Serie A |35 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 2 | |||
| 2022–23
|Serie A |30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24
|Serie A |2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!96 | 4 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 101 | 4 | |||
| Fiorentina (loan)
|Serie A |19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10{{efn|name=UECL|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | ||
| Paris FC
|9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!267 | 13 | 19 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 321 | 15 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Marseille
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2017–2018{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/44052050|title=Atletico Madrid win Europa League with 3-0 victory over Marseille|work=BBC Sport|date=10 May 2018}}
Individual
- UNFP Player of the Month: December 2016
- UNFP Ligue 2 Team of the Year: 2024–25{{Cite web |last=Alvarez |first=Bruno |date=12 May 2025 |title=Trophées UNFP. Dembélé, Doué, Luis Enrique… Le palmarès complet des meilleurs de la saison de L1 |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/ligue-1/trophees-unfp-dembele-doue-luis-enrique-le-palmares-complet-des-meilleurs-de-la-saison-de-l1-3f9c1430-2e79-11f0-a098-f31d02249152 |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=Ouest-France |language=Fr}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{FFF player|8993-lopez-maxime}}
- {{FFF male player|2543086893}}
- [http://www.om.net/fr/Equipes/201002/Effectif_pro/1852/Lopez Marseille profile]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- {{LFP|lopez-maxime}}
- {{Soccerway|maxime-lopez/314574}}
{{Paris FC squad}}
{{2024–25 Ligue 2 UNFP Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lopez, Maxime}}
Category:French men's footballers
Category:Algerian men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Marseille
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Championnat National 2 players
Category:Championnat National 3 players
Category:Olympique de Marseille players
Category:US Sassuolo Calcio players
Category:ACF Fiorentina players
Category:France men's under-21 international footballers
Category:France men's youth international footballers
Category:French sportspeople of Algerian descent
Category:French people of Spanish descent
Category:Sportspeople of Spanish descent
Category:French expatriate men's footballers
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Italy