| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (2007-02-24)24 February 2007 (age 18) | ||
| Place of birth | Meyzieu, France[1] | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Lyon | ||
| Number | 44 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2012–2015 | US Meyzieu | ||
| 2016–2025 | Lyon | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Lyon B | 4 | (0) |
| 2025– | Lyon | 7 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023 | France U16 | 2 | (0) |
| 2025– | France U19 | 4 | (2) |
| 2025– | France U20 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 9 November 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 November 2025 | |||
Khalis Merah (born 24 February 2007) is a French professionalfootballer who plays as amidfielder forLigue 1 clubLyon.
Born inMeyzieu in theMetropolis of Lyon, Merah started his youth career at the local US Meyzieu. In July 2016, he joined the youth academy of region giantsLyon.[2]
On 24 February 2025, on his 18th birthday, Merah signed his first professional contract withLyon, tying him to the club until June 2027.[3] He captained Lyon under-19s side during the 2024–25 season, before being integrated toLyon reserves team that the end of the season, where he made his senior debut at theChampionnat National 3.[4][5]
Ahead of the2025–26 season, Merah was promoted toLyon's first team by coachPaulo Fonseca.[6][7] He earned his first official appearance for Lyon on 16 August 2025 in a 1–0 away win overLens during the first matchday of the2025–26 Ligue 1, coming in as a substitute in the 66th minute.[8] Shortly after his professional debut, on 26 August, Merah extended his contract with Lyon until 2029.[9] Five days later, he earned his first start forLes Gones, playing 71 minutes in the 1–0 victory overMarseille in theChoc des Olympiques.[10] Following his impressive performances, Merah was given thePépite du mois award for the best youth talent of the month in Ligue 1.[11]
Merah appeared twice forFrance U16 in March 2023.[12]
In October 2025, Merah was initially called up toFrance U20 squad for the2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, butLyon refused to release the player as the competition was held outside theFIFA International Match Calendar.[13]
Merah is a versatile midfielder. He is capable of anchoring the midfield as adefensive midfielder and as acentral midfielder.[14][15] Despite his once slight physique, he has compensated with exceptional positional awareness. He is also known for his proficiency in set pieces.[16][17]
Merah was born and raised in France to parents ofAlgerian descent.[18]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lyon B | 2024–25 | National 3 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| Lyon | 2025–26 | Ligue 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | |
| Career total | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | ||