Maxime Lopez

Marseille

Early career

Born in Marseille, Maxime Lopez is a product of Olympique de Marseille's football academy, having joined in 2010 from F.C. Burel. During his time in the academy he represented the club at U-19 level in the UEFA Youth League. He signed his first professional contract with Marseille on 12 July 2014, and was handed his non-competitive debut by interim manager Franck Passi on the same date two years later in a friendly encounter with Lausanne Sport.

2016–17 season

Lopez made his senior debut for Marseille on 21 August 2016, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute for Bouna Sarr in a 2–1 Ligue 1 away defeat to Guingamp and, just 18-minutes after entering the field of play, assisted Florian Thauvin for Marseille's only goal. His home debut at the Stade Vélodrome came on 16 October in Marseille's 1–0 Ligue 1 win over Metz. Later that month, on 30 October, he made his first start for Marseille in a 0–0 Ligue 1 home draw with Bordeaux. On 20 November, Lopez made 129 touches during Marseille's 1-0 Ligue 1 home win against Caen, which was the most ever by a Marseille player in a single match in recorded history. He then scored the first goal of his senior club career on 10 December, netting the opening goal in Marseille's 2–1 Ligue 1 away victory over Dijon. Lopez was later named Ligue 1 Player of the Month in recognition of his performances throughout the month of December. On 30 April 2017, he scored twice in a 5–1 Ligue 1 away win…

Due to his Algerian lineage and similar progression through Marseille's academy, Lopez has often been likened to former Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri. Though small in stature, Lopez has been described as a versatile playmaker capable of fluid movement and quick and intelligent passing.

As of match played 1 November 2024

Lopez was born in France to a French father of partially Spanish origin, and an Algerian mother. He holds French and Algerian nationalities. His older brother, Julien is also a footballer who plays in the Ligue 1 with Paris FC and was a youth international for Algeria.