Maxime Gonalons Bio

Maxime Gonalons (born 10 March 1989 in Vénissieux) is a French footballer who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais. A graduate of the Olympique Lyonnais youth academy, he plays as a defensive midfielder.

Gonalons has been with Olympique Lyonnais since the age of 9 climbing through the club's youth sections. For the 2007–08 season, at the age of 18, he was promoted to the club's Championnat de France amateur team appearing in 26 matches scoring two goals. Lyon finished in a respectable 7th in their group, but weren't allowed progression to the playoffs. The next season, he again spent with the CFA squad, however, during the summer leading up to the season, Gonalons picked up a staph infection on his ankle, which was, at one point, deemed career threatening with reportedly future diagnosis of sepsis and amputation. However, over the course of the season, Gonalons gradually got back into playing shape and eventually returned to the team. He made 24 appearances scoring 3 goals, one each against local rivals AS Lyon Duchère and Saint-Étienne, and one against Marignane. Lyon finished first among professional clubs in the group and qualified for the playoffs. Gonalons started both the 4–3 semi-final win on penalties and the 3–0 victory over Sochaux in the final picking up a yellow card.

Following the season, on 6 July 2009, Gonalons signed his first professional contract agreeing to a one-year deal with the club. The club does have the option to keep him for the next two seasons over after the one-year deal expires. Gonalons was assigned the number 41 shirt and trained with the senior team during pre-season. He made his professional debut on 25 August 2009 in the second leg of the club's UEFA Champions League playoff round match against Anderlecht appearing as a substitute in the 73rd minute for Jérémy Toulalan.

On 20 October, Gonalons scored his first professional goal against Liverpool at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League. The equalizing goal drew the match at 1–1 and Lyon went on to win the match 2–1 with a goal from César Delgado in injury time.