Wendie Renard, born July 20, 1990, is a France international and long-time stalwart of OL Lyonnes, where she has played since 2006. The 35-year-old centre-back, listed at six-foot-two, has been described by former teammate Lucy Bronze as synonymous with the Champions League: “When I think of the Champions League, I think of Wendie Renard,” Bronze said.
Renard ranks among the most decorated players in the women’s game. According to the factfile, her club honours include eight UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, 18 Première Ligue championships, 11 Coupe de France trophies, one Coupe LFFP and three Trophée des Champions.
Born in Martinique, Renard began playing at age seven with Essor Préchotin and had a brief spell at Rapid Club du Lorrain before leaving the island as a teenager to pursue football in mainland France. After an unsuccessful attempt to join Clairefontaine, she entered Lyonnes’ youth system at 16, played two league matches in her debut season and soon became a regular. Renard recalled how coach Farid Benstiti told club staff after 20 minutes of training, “I’m keeping her. She’s going to learn and progress,” demonstrating early faith in her potential.
Renard holds multiple Champions League records. The factfile states she leads the all-time appearance list in the UWCL with 134 matches and is set to appear in her 12th final, targeting a record-extending ninth European trophy when Lyonnes face Barcelona in Oslo on May 23. She has started every European final in the club’s history and captained Lyonnes in seven of those showpieces. Renard scored in the 2011 final to secure Lyonnes’ first UWCL crown and delivered a decisive semifinal goal in 2020 as the club won a fifth consecutive title.
At club level Renard is also one of Lyonnes’ most prolific scoring defenders, ranking sixth on the club’s all-time goalscorers list, according to the factfile. Her career tally of European titles surpasses the total won by Paco Gento, making her the player with the most continental trophies.
On the international stage Renard made her senior France debut in 2011, served for a long period as captain and represented her country at two World Cups and two Olympic Games. She scored four goals at the 2019 World Cup on home soil. Former Lyonnes manager Jean-Luc Vasseur summed up her impact: “Wendie Renard is an exceptional player. Wendie cannot be categorised and cannot be replaced,” the factfile reports.
