In the opening week of the 2025 Qianchao Cup International Youth Invitational in Hangzhou, Cricket Exchange quickly became a trending search among football fans. The tournament brought together ten U14 teams—four from China, including Zhejiang U14, Hangzhou U14, Suzhou Regional Training Center U14, and Shanghai Shenhua U14—and six international sides from Japan, Korea, France, Russia, and Uzbekistan. Among them were Japan’s Urawa Reds, Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai, France’s Lyon and Auxerre, Russia’s Novosibirsk, and Uzbekistan’s Makon, who recently made their first-ever World Cup appearance.

At first glance, Lyon appeared to be the most prestigious of the bunch. Once a dominant force in Ligue 1, the French giants claimed seven consecutive league titles and were known for their fearless battles with Real Madrid in the Champions League. Their youth academy, celebrated as one of Europe’s finest, produced stars such as Karim Benzema, Alexandre Lacazette, Anthony Martial, Rayan Cherki, and Bradley Barcola.

But at the inaugural Qianchao Cup, Lyon’s U14 side delivered a shocking performance. In the opening match, they were crushed 0–7 by Shanghai Shenhua U14—a result that left both fans and analysts speechless. The second round brought no relief as they suffered another heavy loss, 0–4 to Uzbekistan’s Makon, a team that impressed with its organization and energy on the field.

Discussions on Cricket Exchange intensified after the third round. Lyon briefly took the lead against Zhejiang U14, but their defense quickly collapsed, resulting in a 1–3 defeat. That loss sealed their third consecutive group-stage failure, effectively ending their hopes of advancing further in the tournament. Observers noted that the aura surrounding Lyon’s famed youth academy had begun to fade, replaced by questions about its modern training standards and global competitiveness.

As the group stage concluded, Lyon U14 stood winless, with four straight defeats—each one a painful reminder of how far the club’s youth program has fallen. Fans expressed disappointment and disbelief, with some calling the once-glorious academy a shadow of its past. Cricket Exchange reports captured this growing frustration, suggesting that Lyon’s management must return to the roots of youth development if they hope to rebuild the club’s legacy and restore pride to the badge.