The group stage of the 2025\/26 UEFA Champions League<\/a> season concluded on Wednesday, and some Nigerian<\/a> players were involved in the action, Soccernet.ng reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u200bEighteen games were played across different centers in Europe simultaneously, as the continent’s elite slugged it out to seal a berth in the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n \u200bSome of Nigeria’s biggest stars played for their teams, and all but one of them progressed. However, none of them made the top eight for automatic qualification to the round of 16. They finished between 9th and 24th, which means they will all participate in the round of 16 playoffs.<\/p>\n See your club? \ud83d\ude0f#UCL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vwBYAqd0Ii<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \n\u200bIn this article, Soccernet.ng spotlights the five Nigerian players you will see in the knockout rounds of the 2025\/26 Champions League.<\/p>\n \u200bGoing into the final matchday, Galatasaray<\/a> was in one of the playoff spots, but they needed to get a result against Manchester City to be assured of their progression to the next round.<\/p>\n \u200bHowever, they lost 2-0 to the Manchester giants. Victor Osimhen tested goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma three times, but he could not breach the Italian’s goal.<\/p>\n \u200bFortunately for them, the results in other centers went in their favor, and they finished 20th in the rankings.<\/p>\n \u200bThe Super Eagles<\/a> star was an 87th-minute substitute for his side in their final group stage game against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena.<\/p>\n They were outside the playoff spots before that fixture and needed to win to stand a chance of sneaking into the top 24.<\/p>\n \u200bThings eventually panned out nicely for them, as goals from Gelson Martins and Santiago Hezze sealed the win for the Greek champions.<\/p>\n \u200bBruno Onyemaechi will be hoping that his side gets a good draw in the playoffs, as that will give them a strong shot at making it to the next round.<\/p>\n \u200bClub Brugge was another team that was able to sneak into the playoff spots by virtue of its final-day win. They claimed an unprecedented 3-0 win over Ligue 1 side Marseille.<\/p>\n \u200bSuper Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika<\/a>, who has been a key player for the club, was in action and played the full 90 minutes for his side.<\/p>\n \u200bGeorge Ilenikhena and his Monaco side qualified for the Champions League round of 16 playoffs after a goalless draw at home to Juventus. That point proved crucial, as anything less would have seen them finish way below their eventual 21st-place finish.<\/p>\n \u200bIlenikhena did not feature, though; he watched the entire 90 minutes from the bench.<\/p>\n\n
\u200b1. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)<\/h3>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/media.soccernet.ng\/main\/2025\/11\/imago1068815146-scaled.jpg\")
\u200b2. Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos)<\/h3>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/media.soccernet.ng\/main\/2025\/09\/imago1065472538-scaled.jpg\")
\u200b3. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)<\/h3>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/media.soccernet.ng\/main\/2025\/08\/Compress_20250827_234057_7230.jpg\")
\u200b4. George Ilenikhena (Monaco)<\/h3>\n
\u200b5. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)<\/h3>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/media.soccernet.ng\/main\/2025\/08\/imago1061990717-scaled.jpg\")