According to reports, Lyon’s recent match against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals was overshadowed by a verbal clash between Nemanja Matic and Andre Onana.

After Onana claimed in an interview that United were a bigger club than Lyon, Matic—who previously played for United—responded sharply, saying: “Onana, as the worst goalkeeper in United’s history, shouldn’t say that. Schmeichel and De Gea could say it, not you.”

L’Équipe reported that while Matic gained popularity among Lyon fans after this altercation, with many believing he was a committed player who would benefit the club, he received bitter news from Lyon’s management today.

According to L’Équipe, the club’s officials informed Nemanja Matic in a meeting that they have decided not to renew his contract. As a result, Matic will be a free agent this summer and can transfer to any club he chooses.

Matic, currently 36, joined Lyon in January 2024 on an 18-month contract. L’Équipe says the club’s decision not to extend his deal is surprising, as the Serbian star has been a key player for Lyon in both Ligue 1 and European competitions. The report adds that beyond his on-field contributions, Matic played a crucial role in bridging communication between the coaching staff and non-French-speaking players due to his fluency in English.