PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pavel Šulc |
| Date of Birth | 29/12/2000 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Czech Republic |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Height | 1.75 m / 5 ft 9 in |
| Weight | 67 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | Olympique Lyonnais |
| Previous Clubs | Viktoria Plzeň, České Budějovice, Jablonec, Opava |
| International Caps | 20 |
| International Goals | 5 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | €20M |
The Frozen Moment
The Jeju World Cup Stadium was buzzing. June 11, 2026. Czech Republic and South Korea were locked in their World Cup opener, and Pavel Šulc was supposed to be the star of the show.
He had arrived at the tournament as the Czech Republic’s most exciting attacking talent. The Golden Ball winner as the best player in Czech football, he had just completed a stunning debut season at Lyon, scoring 11 goals in Ligue 1. His market value had soared to €20 million, making him the third most valuable player in Group A.
But the opening match was a nightmare. In the 25th minute, he grappled with South Korean defender Lee Han-beom. The Korean’s hand caught his shirt and ripped it clean open. Šulc was forced to leave the pitch to change, a bizarre interruption that summed up his evening. He struggled to impose himself, was substituted after 63 minutes, and watched as his team squandered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1.
The headlines the next day weren’t about his talent—they were about his ripped jersey. But for the boy who had once been a floorball champion before turning to football, the humiliation was just another step in a journey that had already defied expectations.
Origins
Pavel Šulc was born on December 29, 2000. His football journey began at Viktoria Plzeň’s academy, which he joined at just 11 years old. Before committing fully to football, he was also a talented floorball player—he even won a Czech floorball championship as a youth.
He made his professional debut for Plzeň in the 2020-21 season, making 20 appearances. A loan to České Budějovice and a spell at Jablonec followed, with his breakthrough coming in 2023-24 when he scored 18 goals for Plzeň in the league.
The European Forge
Viktoria Plzeň (2020-2025):
Šulc’s time at Plzeň was defined by extraordinary goal-scoring consistency. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 18 goals and provided 6 assists in 31 league appearances. The 2024-25 season was even better—15 goals and 9 assists in 35 appearances.
His 35 goal contributions in 54 games across all competitions during that campaign caught the attention of clubs across Europe. He was awarded the Czech Golden Ball as the best player of the 2024-25 season, cementing his status as the nation’s brightest talent.
Olympique Lyonnais (2025-Present):
In August 2025, Lyon signed Šulc for approximately €7.5-10 million. Originally deployed as a No. 10 or winger, his prolific goal-scoring saw him move into a central striking role after the new year.
His debut Ligue 1 season was a revelation—11 goals and 3 assists in 27 appearances. His finishes were often spectacular: a scoop over the Paris FC goalkeeper, and a curling effort from a tight angle against Brest that showcased his composure.
In European competition, he contributed 1 goal and 3 assists in the Europa League for Lyon.
International Career:
Šulc made his senior debut for the Czech Republic in 2021. He was named in the 2026 World Cup squad, making his tournament debut against South Korea. He featured in three of the Czech Republic’s group matches, though his tournament was largely forgettable.
The Anatomy of His Game
Šulc is an attacking midfielder or forward defined by his instincts in front of goal, versatility, and composure. He heavily favours his right foot.
In Possession:
He is a composed finisher with excellent positioning. In the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season, he scored 11 goals from an xG of 11, demonstrating clinical finishing. His expected assists of 0.80 per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 highlight his creative output. His pass completion rate in Ligue 1 was 74.5%, with 1.6 shots per game.
Out of Possession:
Šulc is a hard-working forward who presses from the front. His physicality and work rate have been praised by his coaches. He is a threat on the counter-attack, using his pace to exploit space behind defenses.
Versatility:
He can play as a central striker, winger, or attacking midfielder. His position in the 2026 World Cup was as a winger in the Czech Republic’s setup.
Psychological Edge:
Šulc’s mental resilience is his defining characteristic. He has overcome the transition from Czech football to Ligue 1 and the pressure of being the Czech Republic’s star player. Despite a difficult World Cup opener, he has the potential to bounce back.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 17(10) | 1,566 | 11 | 3 | 6.78 |
| UEFA Europa League | 5(3) | 477 | 1 | 3 | 6.83 |
| FIFA World Cup | 2(1) | 189 | 0 | 0 | 6.19 |
| TOTAL | 24(14) | 2,232 | 12 | 6 | — |
TABLE B: Career (Czech First League & Ligue 1)
| Season | Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Lyon | 27 | 11 | 3 |
| 2024/25 | Viktoria Plzeň | 35 | 15 | 9 |
| 2023/24 | Viktoria Plzeň | 31 | 18 | 6 |
| 2022/23 | Jablonec | 32 | 5 | 4 |
| 2021/22 | Viktoria Plzeň | 27 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020/21 | Viktoria Plzeň | 20 | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | — | 202 | 55 | 30 |
TABLE C: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Viktoria Plzeň Debut | First professional appearance |
| 2023/24 | 18 Goals in League | Breakthrough season |
| 2024/25 | Czech Golden Ball | Best player in Czech football |
| 2025 | Lyon Transfer | €7.5-10m move to Ligue 1 |
| 2025 | France Debut | First Ligue 1 appearance |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | Started against South Korea |
| 2026 | World Cup Knockouts | Reached quarter-finals |
What these figures reveal
is a player who has experienced a meteoric rise. Šulc has scored 55 goals in 202 senior appearances, won the Czech Golden Ball, and earned a €20 million market value. At 25, he is entering the prime of his career.
The Present Tense
Pavel Šulc is 25 years old and at a pivotal moment in his career. He is an Olympique Lyonnais player, a Czech Republic international, and a World Cup debutant.
The Lyon Story:
Šulc joined Lyon in August 2025 and has become a key player in his debut season. He scored 11 goals in Ligue 1 and contributed 1 goal and 3 assists in the Europa League. He has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting young forwards. His market value is estimated at €20 million.
The World Cup Campaign:
Šulc was named in the Czech Republic’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup—the country’s first appearance in the tournament in 20 years. He made his World Cup debut against South Korea but struggled to make an impact. He featured in three of the Czech Republic’s group matches.
International Record:
Šulc has 20 caps and 5 goals for the Czech Republic. He has been a regular in the national team setup since his debut.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Šulc is defined by his unusual sporting background. Before committing fully to football, he was a talented floorball player and won a Czech youth championship in the sport. His journey from floorball to football is a rare path.
His World Cup debut was marred by a bizarre incident—his shirt was ripped in a tackle with a South Korean defender, forcing him to change on the sidelines. The moment became a viral talking point, overshadowing his performance.
His role in the Czech Republic’s World Cup campaign is significant. He is one of the key players in the squad, but his tournament was largely forgettable. With the Czech Republic reaching the quarter-finals, his performances were underwhelming.
The Verdict from the Camp
Miroslav Koubek, Czech Republic Head Coach:
Koubek brought the best out of Šulc at Viktoria Plzeň and continued to trust him as a key player for the national team.
Statistic:
Šulc scored 11 goals in 27 Ligue 1 appearances in his debut season.
Statistic:
Šulc was awarded the Czech Golden Ball as the best player of the 2024-25 season.
Statistic:
Šulc’s market value is estimated at €20 million, making him the third most valuable player in Group A.
Where Next?
Pavel Šulc is 25 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is under contract with Olympique Lyonnais and has established himself as a Ligue 1 player and a key squad member for the Czech Republic.
For the Czech Republic, he is a key player. His 20 caps, his Golden Ball award, and his Ligue 1 experience make him an invaluable asset for the national team. At 25, he has many years ahead of him and could become a regular fixture for the national team for the next cycle.
From Viktoria Plzeň to Lyon, and from a Czech floorball champion to a World Cup player, Pavel Šulc’s journey is a story of talent, hard work, and a refusal to be defined by a single moment. The Golden Boy who tore up the Czech league and conquered Lyon is only just beginning.
