Galatasaray have officially submitted their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League squad, with Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Portuguese superstar Rafael Leão among the headline names.
The Turkish champions have assembled a formidable squad for their return to Europe’s elite competition, with experienced stars including Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, Mario Lemina and Lucas Torreira also included.
Galatasaray submitted a 24-player list to UEFA ahead of the start of the Champions League league phase. UEFA confirmed that all 36 clubs competing in this season’s league phase had submitted their selections by September 3.
Osimhen Leads Galatasaray’s Attack
Victor Osimhen is one of the biggest names in Galatasaray’s squad.
The Nigerian forward is expected to be central to the club’s ambitions in Europe, having established himself as one of the continent’s most dangerous goalscorers.
Osimhen will be joined in attack by Rafael Leão and Leroy Sané, giving manager Okan Buruk three high-profile attacking options.
The presence of Osimhen, Leão and Sané could make Galatasaray one of the most exciting attacking sides in the 2026/27 Champions League.
Rafael Leão Joins Osimhen in European Squad
Rafael Leão is another major addition to Galatasaray’s Champions League squad.
The Portugal international completed his move from AC Milan during the summer after spending seven seasons with the Italian club. Reuters reported that Galatasaray agreed a deal worth around €45 million for the winger.
Leão brings pace, creativity and one-on-one ability to Galatasaray’s attack and could form a dangerous partnership with Osimhen.
His inclusion in the Champions League squad confirms that the Portuguese star will be available for Galatasaray’s European campaign.
Galatasaray’s Full Champions League Squad
Galatasaray’s submitted squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Uğurcan Çakır, Günay Güvenç, Jankat Yılmaz, Enes Emre Büyük.
Defenders: Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Davinson Sánchez, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Wilfried Singo, Eren Elmalı, Ismail Jakobs and Roland Sallai.
Midfielders: Aleksey Batrakov, Gabriel Sara, İlkay Gündoğan, Mario Lemina, Lucas Torreira, Renato Nhaga, Lesley Ugochukwu and Yunus Akgün.
Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Rafael Leão, Leroy Sané and Deniz Gül.
UEFA’s official squad listing also confirms Osimhen, Leão and Sané among Galatasaray’s forwards, with Okan Buruk named as head coach.
Five Players Miss Out
Despite the star-studded squad, several Galatasaray players were not included on the Champions League list.
Kaan Ayhan, Arda Ünyay, Kazımcan Karataş, Eyüp Aydın and Can Armando Güner were among those left out of the submitted squad.
The selection highlights the depth of Buruk’s squad as Galatasaray prepare to compete against some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Galatasaray’s Champions League Fixtures
Galatasaray will begin their Champions League campaign away against Sporting CP on September 9.
Their league-phase schedule includes some major encounters:
- September 9: Sporting CP vs Galatasaray
- October 13: Galatasaray vs Barcelona
- October 21: Lille vs Galatasaray
- November 3: Galatasaray vs Stuttgart
- November 24: Galatasaray vs Aston Villa
- December 8: AEK Athens vs Galatasaray
- January 19: Galatasaray vs Feyenoord
- January 27: Paris Saint-Germain vs Galatasaray.
The opening round is particularly significant, with Galatasaray facing Sporting CP away from home on September 9.
Can Galatasaray Challenge Europe’s Best?
Galatasaray’s decision to include Osimhen, Leão and Sané gives the Turkish champions considerable attacking firepower.
The addition of experienced players such as Gündoğan and Lemina could also provide the balance needed for a demanding Champions League campaign.
With Barcelona, Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain among their league-phase opponents, Galatasaray will face a serious test of their European credentials.
For Nigerian football fans, however, much of the attention will be on Victor Osimhen and whether the Super Eagles striker can reproduce his goalscoring form on Europe’s biggest stage.
Final Word
Galatasaray have made their ambitions clear by submitting a squad packed with international stars.
With Victor Osimhen, Rafael Leão and Leroy Sané leading the attacking options, alongside experienced midfielders such as İlkay Gündoğan and Lucas Torreira, the Turkish champions will enter the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League with plenty of attention on them.
The first major test arrives on September 9 against Sporting CP, when Galatasaray’s star-studded squad gets its European campaign underway.
