Didier Deschamps, are you watching? Because Corentin Tolisso just served up a masterclass that’s impossible to ignore. The Lyon captain was the driving force behind a thrilling 4-2 comeback win over Stade Rennais on Sunday night, a victory that has Olympique Lyonnais firmly in control of their Champions League destiny.
“I don’t even know what to say about Coco anymore,” teammate Clinton Mata said after the match. “He’s an exemplary, determined captain. He shows it match after match. We’re at a loss for words regarding his performances.” And it’s easy to see why. Tolisso was involved in three of Lyon’s four goals, providing two assists and coolly slotting home a 42nd-minute penalty. The result was enough to leapfrog Lille OSC and reclaim third place in Ligue 1—a spot that would secure automatic qualification for the Champions League group stage with just two games remaining.
The night, however, almost took a very different turn. With nearly the first kick of the match, Tolisso went down clutching his head after a challenge from Rennes defender Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal. Teammates from both sides quickly surrounded him, shielding him from view as he received treatment. He looked visibly dazed, but after being given the all-clear to continue, he went on to leave an indelible mark on a tightly contested European race.
When you see Tolisso at full flow—dictating the tempo, orchestrating the press, and slicing open defenses—it’s hard to ignore the argument that has been building in Lyon all season: this is a player who deserves a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the upcoming summer World Cup. It has baffled the Lyonnais faithful that the national team coach has remained unmoved by the midfielder’s performances, or by the 14 goals he has scored across all competitions.
It has been five years since Tolisso last pulled on the blue of France. His 28th and most recent cap came during the group stages of the rescheduled 2020 UEFA Euros in 2021. Since then, the phone has been silent—even as he has watched players like Florian Thauvin earn call-ups based on strong seasons elsewhere. But if Sunday night was any indication, Tolisso is making a case that’s getting harder and harder to ignore.