UCL: Victor Osimhen ruled out of Galatasaray squad for Frankfurt opener

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola

Galatasaray have confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will not feature in their UEFA Champions League League Stage opener against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday as he continues his recovery from injury.

The Istanbul club will begin their 2025/26 European campaign at the Frankfurt Stadion without their record signing, whose return has been delayed despite head coach Okan Buruk’s earlier optimism.

Osimhen sustained the injury during Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, exiting the match in the opening minutes.

A medical report from Galatasaray later revealed that he suffered a moderate ankle ligament sprain, accompanied by stretching and bleeding.

The 26-year-old has not yet regained full fitness, forcing Buruk to exclude him from the travelling party to Germany.

Galatasaray’s squad for the Frankfurt clash includes: Ugurcan Cakir, Metehan Baltaci, Ismail Jakobs, Davinson Sanchez, Roland Sallai, Gabriel Sara, Mauro Icardi, Leroy Sane, Yunus Akgun, Batuhan Sen, Eren Elmali, Berkan Kutlu, Gunay Guvenc, Ilkay Gundogan, Ahmed Kutucu, Kaan Ayhan, Yusuf Demir, Lucas Torreira, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Wilfried Singo, Arda Unyay, and Mario Lemina.

After the European fixture, Galatasaray will return to domestic duty with a league tie against Konyaspor, where the club hopes Osimhen can be fit enough to strengthen their attack.