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Melchie Dumornay has always stood out as an extraordinary talent. After impressing then-Reims manager Amandine Miquel during the 2018 Under-20 Women's World Cup, the Haitian starlet joined the French club three years later upon turning 18. Within weeks, Miquel was convinced. “She’s going to be one of the best players in the world in the coming years,” she predicted. Today, that statement has proven prophetic.

Dumornay spent only two seasons at Reims before Lyon – who had previously invited her to train with them before her move to France – could no longer resist signing her. At just 19, she joined the eight-time European champions, adapting quickly despite the immense expectations and pressure that came with the move.

Now 22, Dumornay enters this weekend’s Champions League final as the standout performer in Lyon’s star-studded squad. Her exploits in Europe this season have been breathtaking, as she has netted five goals – a tally surpassed by only four other players, all of whom have played significantly more minutes.

Haitian football has been breaking new ground in recent years. The women’s national team made its World Cup debut in 2023, while the men’s team is set to return to the same stage this summer after 52 years. Through Dumornay, an even greater milestone could be achieved. A Lyon victory over Barcelona on Saturday would make her the first Haitian – male or female – to win the Champions League, potentially propelling her towards the sport’s highest individual honour, the Ballon d’Or.

Early Steps

When GOAL spoke with Miquel midway through Dumornay’s debut season at Reims, the coach stated that her young charge was “only at 30 per cent of her level.”

It was both a believable and startling assessment. Dumornay’s potential was undeniable, yet her performances were already of an elite calibre. Could she really be operating at just 30% of her capacity?

As each season has passed, Miquel’s statement has looked increasingly accurate. Every year, Dumornay has found ways to elevate her game further.

On the Right Path

Her time at Reims was vital. When she first moved abroad, people in Haiti constantly asked where she would sign once she turned 18. “So, who is it? Paris Saint-Germain or Lyon?” they would ask.

“I know that some people might be disappointed that I’m moving to Reims,” Dumornay admitted at the time. “But people who understand football will see why I made this decision. For everyone else, that’s okay. I’ll prove them wrong in the future.”

In Reims, nestled in France’s Champagne region, Dumornay could play regularly, learn from her mistakes, and develop. “She knew she would be in a strong league but still be an important player rather than just a substitute,” Miquel explained.

Rising to the Occasion

After two seasons, 39 appearances, and 23 goals, Dumornay finally secured her dream move to Lyon – a transfer that both the club and her homeland eagerly anticipated. Having previously trialled with Lyon before turning 18, she had long dreamed of representing France’s dominant women’s team. That ambition became a reality quickly.

Any doubts about her ability to adapt to Lyon’s high standards were erased in the summer of 2023, just before her first season with the club. Dumornay led Haiti to their first-ever Women’s World Cup, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory over Chile in the play-off tournament. In Australia, despite Haiti being debutants in a tough group with England, China, and Denmark, they impressed with competitive displays – and Dumornay’s performances stood out.

After Haiti’s match against England, BBC Sport readers voted the then-19-year-old as Player of the Match, despite the 1-0 defeat. She was showing not only her skill but her leadership qualities on the biggest stage.

An Immediate Impact

Dumornay’s Lyon career began with a setback, as an ankle injury sidelined her for over three months. But once she returned, her form quickly soared. In the 2023–24 season, she scored five goals and registered five assists in just 11 matches after her comeback. Her biggest impact came in the Champions League semi-final against PSG, where she contributed two goals and two assists in Lyon’s 5-3 aggregate triumph.

Although Lyon fell short against Barcelona in the final, with Dumornay managing only one shot, her first season was still a major success. At just 20, she had become a key player, overcoming adversity and helping the club win two trophies.

“I always believed that if I’m at Lyon, I’ll get better every day,” Dumornay told GOAL before the 2024–25 season. “That’s exactly what’s happening.”

Among the World’s Best

Dumornay’s development has continued relentlessly. Over the past two years, few would argue against her being among the world’s elite players. “It’s great having her as a teammate,” said Ingrid Engen, the Lyon defender who had faced Dumornay in the 2024 UWCL final while playing for Barcelona. “She’s a real threat. You have to focus on her constantly because she’s so strong, powerful, and technically gifted – she truly has everything.”

Under Jonatan Giraldez, the former Barcelona coach who took charge of Lyon this season, Dumornay’s role has evolved. Having previously played higher up the pitch, often in a striker’s position, she now operates in midfield – either as a No.10 or slightly deeper. It’s her preferred role, as she once explained, “because I want to be everywhere.”

Ready for the Big Stage

This positional shift has made Dumornay even more influential. Her touches per match have reached new highs in both domestic and European competitions, leading to more key passes and creative involvement. “We know Melchie is one of the best players in the world,” Giraldez said earlier this season. “We have to get her on the ball as often as possible.”

The formula is simple: the more Dumornay is involved, the better Lyon perform. While OL boast world-class quality across the pitch, having a player performing at a potential Ballon d’Or level means maximising her influence is crucial. “A No.9 only gets to do specific things,” Giraldez explained this week. “But she’s capable of doing many different things.”

Most significantly, Giraldez believes the best is yet to come. Dumornay has evolved tremendously since Miquel described her as being at 30% of her potential four years ago, yet she still hasn’t reached her full capacity – and she’s already performing at a world-class level.

“This is not her peak,” Giraldez said ahead of Saturday’s final. As Lyon chase another European crown in Oslo, Dumornay’s present is already brilliant – but her future seems even brighter. This is merely the beginning of what could be an extraordinary career.