Galatasaray have confirmed €75m Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss their Champions League opener in a huge setback for the Turkish champions.

Galatasaray have confirmed that their €75 million Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss the club’s Champions League opener, dealing a major blow to the Turkish champions.

Pulse Sports Nigeria can confirm that Osimhen, 26, will not be included in Galatasaray’s squad for their 2025/26 Champions League opener against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

The club officially released their 23-man squad ahead of the fixture, with the Nigerian forward the standout absentee.

Galatasaray posted on their social media accounts: “Our squad list for tomorrow’s #UCL opener against @Eintracht,” confirming Osimhen’s exclusion.

The striker has been sidelined since picking up an injury during Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in the recent international break.

He missed both Nigeria’s subsequent 1-1 draw with South Africa and Galatasaray’s domestic matches, including a weekend victory over Eyüpspor, as he focused on recovery.

Despite hopes for a late fitness test, Osimhen was also absent from the club’s final training sessions at Kemerburgaz Metin Oktay Facilities ahead of their Champions League debut.

Turkish news outlet Harbeler had earlier reported that Osimhen was willing to make sacrifices to return for the match, but the club has ultimately decided not to risk the forward’s fitness.

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Osimhen was crucial for Galatasaray last season, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances. His injury absence leaves a big gap in the team’s attacking lineup for one of the most important fixtures of their season.

Manager Okan Buruk will now rely on other forwards like Mauro Icardi and Leroy Sane to step up as the Turkish giants seek to get their Champions League campaign off to a strong start despite missing their star striker.