Georges Mikautadze loves Olympique Lyonnais. However, this story between the Rhone club and the Georgian international (39 selections) seems to be an impossible love. Already younger, he had been failed by the OL training center. After having branched off in Saint-Priest and then in Metz, Mikautadze had finally fulfilled his dream by signing a four-year contract in Lyon, in the summer of 2024, and by funching out the lawn of Groupama Stadium. Seen as the successor of Alexandre Lacazette at the forefront of the Rhone attack, he had concluded his first season with the Gones With a fairly honorable assessment (34 games, 11 goals and six assists). Something to predict good things for the future.
Unfortunately, the count of fairy took a fairly dramatic turn for the Georgian. In financial difficulty, Olympique Lyonnais has had no choice but to separate from its 24-year-old center-forward, against a check for 36 million euros. A heartbreaker for the Lyonnais by birth, who had not hidden his tears during his farewell to supporters at the end of August. Now in Villarreal, Mikautadze spoke of its agitated summer this Sunday in an interview for Canal +. “” At the start of the transfer window, I put myself in my head that I was in Lyon and that I was going to concentrate 100% here. I had ignored everything. There were 4-5 days left, we knew that a sale had to be made. I also had this opportunity with Villarreal and it happened quite quickly “Said the new player of yellow submarines.
Mikautadze not want in Lyon
Despite this reversal of the situation, Georges Mikautadze does not want anyone and understood the urgency in which his heart club was. “” A sacrifice for the club? Yes, we can say that like that. I sacrificed myself to save the club I like. It was hard. I thought about what had happened little. (…) There was also this adaptation season and I also told myself that it was the right season to break everything. There was this transfer, difficult, because you get attached to people there, even if it was short. It was very emotional. Resentment? No, (I want) to anyone. It is the life of a footballer. One day, you can be here, another day, elsewhere. I'm happy to be here (in Villarreal). There is a new page to write here in Spain. »»
For Mikautadze, to sign in Villarreal was also an opportunity not to be missed. “” I had a discussion with Marcelino and with Robert Pirès who told me that it was a superb city and a great club, that I was going to flourish there. There is also the discovery of the Champions League. I also wanted to play in Spain. I really like the Spanish game and I'm happy to be here “He said. Under contract until 2031 with the Iberian club, Mikautadze will now be happy with the public of Cerámica. Before possibly returning to Lyon? “” It's too early (to talk about it). I'm going to focus on Villarreal, but of course, we know my love for Lyon. And as they say, never two without three. The future will tell us.
