Lyon's greatest Brazilian players

Juninho Pernambucano (2001–09)
Midfielder
Games: 344
Goals: 100
Signed from Vasco da Gama, this attacking midfielder's amazing free-kicks and spirit helped Lyon to seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He has now returned to Brazil but can still be heard as a pundit on French radio. Juninho is rightly revered by fans at the Stade de Gerland.  

Honours
Ligue 1: winner  2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
French Cup: winner 2008
French Super Cup: winner 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Sonny Anderson (1999–2003)
Striker
Games: 161
Goals: 94
The prolific goalscorer left his mark on the French championship, first with Marseille and AS Monaco, then with Lyon. Recruited from Barcelona for a record €18m fee, Anderson had an immediate impact, top-scoring in Ligue 1 during his first two seasons with OL (23 goals in 1999/2000, 22 in 2000/01). His arrival helped Lyon to the 2001 League Cup, their first silverware since 1973. 'Sonnygoal' was also part of the team that won the first two of Les Gones' seven successive Ligue 1 crowns.

Honours
Ligue 1: winner 2002, 2003
League Cup: winner 2001
French Super Cup: winner 2002

Cris (2004–12)
Defender
Games: 304
Goals: 26
The centre-back was acquired by the French champions in August 2004, two years after a relatively unsuccessful first spell in Europe with Bayer Leverkusen. Cris was quickly nicknamed 'Le Policier' (the Policeman) for his ability to muzzle opposition forwards. He claimed plenty of prizes during his eight-year stint, including four Ligue 1 titles and several individual awards. He became OL captain in 2009 and is also remembered for a bizarre goal that hurtled in off his back against Le Mans in May 2006. 

Honours
Ligue 1: winner 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
French Cup: winner 2008, 2012
French Super Cup: winner 2005, 2007, 2012

Claudio Caçapa (2001–07)
Defender
Games: 176
Goals: 8
A centre-half who was occasionally used as a midfielder, Caçapa broke the deadlock in the 2001 League Cup final as Lyon landed their first trophy in 28 years. He was later appointed captain and was involved in the first six of the seven-in-a-row championship triumphs.

Honours
Ligue 1: winner 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
League Cup: winner 2001
French Super Cup: winner 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

©Getty Images

Fred (2005–09)
Striker
Games: 119
Goals: 41
Brought in from Cruzeiro in 2005, Fred struck twice on his debut against Monaco and quickly established himself, relegating giant Norwegian John Carew to the bench. The front man managed 41 goals in 119 outings until 2009 despite competition from the likes of Milan Baroš and the emerging Karim Benzema. He also collected three Ligue 1 titles. 

Honours
Ligue 1: winner 2006, 2007, 2008
French Cup: winner 2008

©AFP/Getty Images

Michel Bastos (2009–13)
Midfielder
Games: 142
Goals: 40
The winger was lured from LOSC Lille in July 2009 for €18m. Endowed with a powerful left-foot shot, he netted lots of goals from distance, including a remarkable overhead kick against Troyes and a free-kick versus Évian. He also bagged a fantastic hat-trick in a 4-0 Ligue 1 victory over Sochaux in February 2010. 

Honours
French Cup: winner 2012
French Super Cup: winner 2012

©Getty Images

Edmílson (2000–04)
Midfielder/defender
Games: 157
Goals: 5
This 2002 FIFA World Cup winner crossed the Atlantic a few months before his fellow defender Caçapa and settled fast into OL's starting 11. The classy but whimsical centre-back spent four seasons at Lyon, where his technical ability thrilled the Stade de Gerland crowd. After three Ligue 1 successes, he switched to Barcelona and won the UEFA Champions League in a holding midfield role which arguably better suited his qualities. 

Honours
Ligue 1: winner 2002, 2003, 2004
League Cup: winner 2001
French Super Cup: winner 2002, 2003

Lyon's other Brazilians
Giovane Élber: striker, 2003–05; games 43, goals 17
Marcelo Kiremitdijan: defender, 1993–97; games 108, goals 1
Nilmar: striker, 2004–05; games 46, goals 7
Fábio Santos: defensive midfielder, 2007–09; games 28, goals 2
Ederson: attacking midfielder, 2008–12; games 115; goals 11
Cléber Anderson: defender, 2007–08; games 19, goals 1
Rafael: defender, 2015–