French international forward Melvine Malard has underlined the importance of connecting with fans ahead of the UEFA Women’s Champions League final between OL Lyonnes and Barcelona this Saturday.
The 25-year-old Manchester United striker will be in Oslo before the match kicks off, attending the WePlayStrong House event. The fan gathering is open to everyone in the city in the lead-up to the final and is free of charge.
The event’s schedule has been shared on the WePlayStrong platform, featuring meet-and-greet sessions with players such as Malard and former Barcelona defender Jana Fernández. Supporters will also be able to take part in quizzes, EA FC gaming challenges, and skill tutorials.
Malard, who came through OL Lyonnes’ academy system and made over 50 appearances for the club before leaving, spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Manchester United before signing a permanent contract the following year. However, she made it clear that she won’t be neutral when the final kicks off this weekend.
The forward acknowledged that OL Lyonnes have faced some ‘bitter’ seasons in Europe recently. Despite holding a record eight Champions League titles, this is their first final appearance since the 2023/24 campaign. Their last triumph was back in 2022.
Determined not to fall behind, OL Lyonnes underwent significant changes last summer, appointing Jonatan Giráldez as head coach and bringing in several young players to refresh their style of play.
Speaking to the media, Malard said, “This season it was a new format with this new formula and Lyon has strengthened a lot with a very different team. Before there were many French players, now there are also others from abroad. It’s a very mixed team and I think they come into this final with a strong desire for redemption.”
While Malard admires Barcelona’s distinct playing style, she insists her loyalty remains with Lyon and that she will be in the stands supporting her former teammates.
WePlayStrong continues its annual tradition of hosting pre-final fan events, even adapting to virtual formats during the Covid-19 pandemic to allow supporters to interact with stars such as Lena Oberdorf and Vivianne Miedema.
Malard believes that these events are vital in showcasing the close-knit community of women’s football. She explained, “I think this gives young players a chance to see what women’s football is and how it has developed. We’ll have a wonderful atmosphere with former players and young fans together, and I think it will inspire them to keep playing.”
She added, “I love spending time with fans and people who give me energy. It’s important to give back and to bring new fans and young players into these experiences.”
Malard also sees attending the UWCL final as a learning opportunity. She mentioned that she will be keeping an eye on Haitian star Melchie Dumornay’s performance to pick up inspiration for her own game.
“I always look around to see what I can learn. I’m here to enjoy the match as a football fan, but if Dumornay does something brilliant, I’ll note it down on my phone to help me in future matches,” she said.
Manchester United have also confirmed their participation in the upcoming World Sevens tournament this summer. Unlike last year’s multi-national edition, the 2026 competition will feature eight Women’s Super League clubs.
When asked about the tournament, Malard expressed her excitement. “I’m thrilled. It’s a great plan because the season can be long with many games, pressure, and emotions. After last year, we know this is a chance to relax and enjoy football. Of course, we’d like to win, but it’s more about celebrating the game we love.”
The UEFA Women’s Champions League final will kick off at 5 pm BST on Saturday, 23 May. Fans who can’t join Malard in Oslo can watch the match on Disney+ with their current subscription, while UK viewers can tune in live on BBC Two and iPlayer.
