Bernard Lacombe died: French professional football player Bernard Lacombe died on 17 June 2025 at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness. He played as a striker for Lyon, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, and the France national team.
Olympique Lyon (his hometown club) shared on X, “It is with great sadness that we learned of Bernard Lacombe’s death on Tuesday evening. Goodbye Bernard, you were our legend, the greatest of all.”
He began his career with his hometown club Lyon in 1969. His teenage friend Aimé Étienne Jacquet became his team manager. He received his first cap for France in 1973 and represented his nation at the 1978 World Cup. He played at the 1982 World Cup and won UEFA Euro 1984. He won three French Ligue 1 championships, the Coupe de France twice, and scored a goal in the 1973 Coupe de France Final.
French Football Federation (FFF President Philippe Diallo) said, “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Bernard Lacombe… one of the greatest strikers in the history of French football… a major contributor to the 1984 European Championship title… deeply attached to his city, his club, and his friends, Bernard Lacombe will be deeply missed.”
He joined the technical staff of former club Lyon and served as technical manager (from 1988 to 1996). He also worked as a trainer from 1996 to 2000.
