For seven remarkable years, Olympique Lyonnais dominated French football.
Between 2001/02 and 2007/08, Lyon won an extraordinary seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles, a run that established the club as the dominant force of an era.
The final chapter of that historic sequence came in 2007/08.
Lyon finished top of Ligue 1 once again, securing their seventh straight championship and completing one of the greatest periods of domestic dominance in French football history.
It would also prove to be Lyon's last Ligue 1 title.
Today, that makes the 2007/08 side even more significant. It was the team that brought an incredible dynasty to its conclusion.
Seven Titles in a Row
Lyon's rise during the early 2000s was one of the great stories in European football.
Before their first title in 2002, the club had never won the French top division. But once Lyon reached the summit, they stayed there.
Year after year, they rebuilt, evolved and continued to win.
Their seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles came in:
- 2001/02
- 2002/03
- 2003/04
- 2004/05
- 2005/06
- 2006/07
- 2007/08
By the time the 2007/08 season arrived, Lyon were chasing history once again.
And they delivered.
The Team That Won Lyon's Last Ligue 1 Title
The 2007/08 squad featured a fascinating blend of experienced champions and some of the brightest young talent in European football.
At the back, there were players who had been part of Lyon's years of dominance. In midfield, the side had technical quality, energy and one of the greatest set-piece specialists of his generation.
Further forward, a young striker was beginning to show why he would soon become one of world football's biggest names.
Lyon 2007/08 Starting XI
Looking back at the lineup, it is easy to see why this team remains so memorable.
It combined the experience of players who had been central to Lyon's title-winning era with the emergence of a new generation ready to take French football by storm.
Benzema's Breakout Season
The 2007/08 campaign was a defining one for Karim Benzema.
Still only 20 years old for much of the season, Benzema became Lyon's leading attacking force and announced himself as one of Europe's most exciting young forwards.
His goals played a huge role in Lyon securing another title, and his performances earned widespread recognition.
It was the season in which Benzema went from promising young talent to one of the most talked-about strikers in European football.
A year later, he would leave Lyon for Real Madrid.
But in 2007/08, he was helping deliver the final title of Lyon's historic seven-year run.
Juninho: The Heart of an Era
No story about Lyon's golden era would be complete without Juninho.
The Brazilian midfielder became synonymous with the club's extraordinary period of success.
His technical ability, leadership and incredible free-kick technique made him one of the defining players of Ligue 1 during the 2000s.
By 2007/08, Juninho was already a Lyon legend.
He had been present throughout the club's rise and remained one of the key figures as they chased their seventh consecutive title.
For Lyon supporters, his name will always be connected to this golden era.
Experience at the Back
Lyon's success was also built on experience.
Grégory Coupet had been a crucial part of the club's dominance for years, while Cris had established himself as one of the most reliable defenders in French football.
Réveillère provided consistency on the right, while Fabio Grosso brought international pedigree following his role in Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph.
In front of them, Jérémy Toulalan gave the team balance and defensive security, allowing Lyon's more creative players to influence games further forward.
It was a side with a clear mixture of leadership and quality.
A New Generation Emerging
While experienced players formed the backbone of the team, Lyon were also developing an exciting generation of attacking talent.
Alongside Benzema was Hatem Ben Arfa, one of the most naturally gifted young players in French football.
His dribbling ability and flair made him a thrilling player to watch, while Sidney Govou brought experience and versatility to the attack.
The 2007/08 side felt like a bridge between generations.
It contained players who had been there for the beginning of Lyon's dominance and younger stars who would soon move on to some of Europe's biggest clubs.
More Than Just the Starting XI
While the featured lineup captures the strength of Lyon's 2007/08 title-winning side, their seventh consecutive Ligue 1 triumph was very much a squad effort.
Several other players played important roles throughout the campaign, giving manager Alain Perrin quality and depth across the pitch.
Kader Keïta brought pace, power and unpredictability to Lyon's attacking options. Capable of making an impact across the forward line, he gave the team another dangerous outlet and added depth to an already talented attack.
Fred was another important part of the squad. The Brazilian forward provided further quality in attack and gave Lyon another option alongside Benzema during a long and demanding season.
In midfield, Mathieu Bodmer added technical ability and versatility. Comfortable in different roles, he gave Perrin another valuable option in a squad packed with quality.
Meanwhile, François Clerc played his part in providing depth and competition in defence. With Lyon competing across multiple competitions, having strong options throughout the squad was vital.
The 2007/08 team may be remembered for its standout names, experienced champions and emerging stars, but Lyon's success was built on much more than just one starting XI.
It was the strength of the entire squad that helped the club complete an extraordinary achievement: seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles.
The End of a Historic Run
Lyon's seventh consecutive title was a remarkable achievement.
But it also marked the end of an era.
The following season, Bordeaux ended Lyon's dominance by winning Ligue 1. In the years that followed, French football changed, with new challengers emerging and the financial landscape of the league evolving.
Lyon remained an important force, enjoying memorable cup successes and a run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2010.
But they have not won the Ligue 1 title since 2007/08.
That makes this team a snapshot of a unique moment in the club's history.
The final champions of a dynasty.