Ligue 1 Time Machine: Sonny Anderson
As one of the more underrated Brazilians of the 1990s-2000s, Anderson helped Olympique Lyonnais win two of its first seven titles in a row, cementing his status as a Ligue 1 legend
The 1990s was an amazing decade for Brazilian football. From its victory in the 1994 World Cup to the immense talent factory it became at the same time, it was hard to to keep your eyes off the Selecao.
Ronaldo Nazario, Rivaldo, Romario, Bebeto, Dunga, Roberto Carlos, Cafu…the list goes on. No real need to explain further.
While larger than life figures cemented themselves in Brazil’s starting XI and XVIII, it left a good amount of Brazilians out of the national team (and could have played for others).
One such player was Sonny Anderson.
While did not cement himself as a wonderkid while playing for Vasco da Gama and Gurani at the start of his career, he made his presence known in Switzerland playing for Servette as he bagged 20 goals in his first season and contributing to the club’s Swiss Super League title by scoring 11 goals in the first half the campaign in 1993-1994.
His scoring exploits earned him a chance to play in Ligue 1 for giants Marseille after the Provencal club won its first European Cup the year prior.
In just a half season on the south coast, he would score 16 goals in 20 matches, putting his total for the season at 31 goals (For both Servette and Marseille).
However, Marseille was found guilty of match-fixing and AS Monaco would take advantage of this market inefficiency as they signed him in the summer of 1994.
His power and excellent play netted him more goals for the Monegasque side as he scored 67 goals across four season at the club, helping the club to a Ligue 1 Championship in the 1996-1997 season.
His exploits in Provence was recognized by FC Barcelona and acquired his services.
He would not replicate his feats in France for the Catalans.
Being behind players like Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo in the pecking order, plus his bust-ups with enigmatic manager Louis van Gaal, he only score 15 goals across two seasons and opportunities for playing time grew smaller and smaller.
Seeking to take advantage of the Brazilian market and understanding the dominant center forward’s exploits in France, Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas signed Anderson from Barcelona for 18 million Euros.
In the 1999-2000 season, he picked up where he left off.
His skill, strength, and overall play lit up the league as he scored 23 goals in his triumphant return back to Ligue 1.
He nearly equaled his tally from that season when he scored 22 goals in the 2000-2001 season.
In a stroke of transfer market genius from Les Gones. Anderson was then linked up two other Brazilians who would also be Ligue 1 legends alongside him.
The two in question were free-kick specialistand midfielder Juninho Pernambucano and defensive midfielder/centerback Edmilson.
The Brazilian trio would form the spine of the team that would win the first few of Lyon’s seven league titles in a row.
While Anderson scored fewer goals in his two league title winning seasons with the club in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003, he was aided by the offensive prowess of Juninho from set piece situations.
His exploits domestically did not translate to consistent international call-ups for Brazil as he got six caps. He was called up for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, however.
In total, he was Ligue 1 top scorer for three season in his time in France and was Ligue 1 Player of the Year once when he won the title with Monaco in 1996-1997.
Where is he now?
Well, in February 2023, he returned to OL to assume the role of Sporting Advisor to the OL group to work with then head coach Laurent Blanc, telling French sports outlet, L'Equipe that “I have realized my dream of returning home.”
The 1990s and the 2000s saw many famous Brazilians don the Green and Yellow, dominating all that was laid in front of them with ease (minus France in 1998).
Simultaneously, there were many Brazilian players that slipped through the cracks that do not get the same honorable mention that other received.
Sonny Anderson deserves to have his name mentioned with the greatest of that era.