The 2017-18 campaign was a season of consolidation for Nantes as Les Canaris secured a respectable 9th-place finish in Ligue 1 under the pragmatic, guiding hand of manager Claudio Ranieri. Leading the charge with sheer grit and tenacity was the beloved Argentine striker Emiliano Sala, whose 12 crucial league goals (14 across all competitions) anchored the attack in a campaign built on a strong defense and a genuine, though fading, push for European qualification. It was a pivotal year that solidified Sala's status as the club's talisman and remains a key chapter in the modern history of Les Canaris.