The Champions League squads for the 2025/26 season are in, and while the headlines naturally focus on star names set to light up Europe, some of the biggest stories lie in the absences.
This year’s announcements have delivered real shocks — not fringe players, but established internationals, expensive signings, and footballers expected to be central figures for their clubs.
Below, we break down the most surprising exclusions across Europe.
Liverpool: Federico Chiesa Loses Out to a Teenager
Few omissions sting more than Federico Chiesa’s exclusion from Liverpool’s Champions League squad. The Italian, who had just begun to show signs of finding form at Anfield under Arne Slot, has been left out in favor of 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
The technical reason lies in UEFA’s homegrown regulations. Liverpool could register a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players, and Chiesa lost out in what was essentially a direct battle with Ngumoha. Liverpool’s decision to submit only 22 players instead of the maximum 25 makes it even harsher — a European Championship winner deemed less valuable than an academy graduate still learning the ropes.
For Chiesa, the message is painful: Liverpool see more long-term value in the teenager.
Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus Left Behind
Over at the Emirates, Gabriel Jesus has been left out of Arsenal’s squad. The Brazilian hasn’t featured since suffering an ACL injury in January’s FA Cup clash against Manchester United. While he has recently returned to light training, reports suggest he won’t be match-fit until November.
What makes his omission intriguing is that Arsenal still had a squad slot available. Instead of gambling on Jesus’ return, they opted to register 16-year-old Max Dowman, making a statement about the future direction of the club.
This decision raises serious questions about Jesus’ long-term role under Mikel Arteta.
Chelsea: A Cruel Blow for Facundo Buonanotte
Facundo Buonanotte’s dream move to Chelsea quickly turned sour. The Argentine joined on loan from Brighton after impressing at Leicester last season, but days after completing his move — and publicly expressing his excitement about playing Champions League football — he discovered he wouldn’t be registered.
Chelsea could only name 23 players out of the 25 allowed due to homegrown constraints. Buonanotte’s omission wasn’t about tactics or performance, but administration. For a 20-year-old who arrived with ambitions of making his European debut, it’s a brutal reality check.
Tottenham: Mathys Tel and Yves Bissouma Axed
No club has faced more criticism over squad planning than Tottenham Hotspur. Mathys Tel, signed permanently from Bayern Munich after a costly loan, was meant to be Son Heung-min’s long-term replacement. Yet despite Spurs only registering 22 players out of 25, Tel was excluded in favor of deadline-day loan signing Randal Kolo Muani.
Supporters are understandably furious. Nearly £40 million invested, yet no Champions League football for the supposed star of the future.
Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma was also left out — though his case is different. The midfielder’s exclusion reportedly stems from disciplinary issues and inconsistent form, compounded by the arrivals of Joao Palhinha and the emergence of younger talents like Archie Gray.
Tel’s omission feels like poor planning. Bissouma’s reflects a manager prioritizing discipline.
PSG: The End for Presnel Kimpembe
For Paris Saint-Germain, the notable absence is Presnel Kimpembe. The academy product has been at PSG since 2005, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and even reaching a Champions League final.
But after a two-year injury nightmare — including Achilles tendon surgery in 2024 — his return has not been enough to secure a place. With talks reportedly advanced with Qatar Sports Club, this feels like the closing chapter in Kimpembe’s PSG career.
Marseille: Neal Maupay Left in Limbo
At Marseille, Neal Maupay’s situation highlights the harsh business side of football. Despite efforts to engineer a move to Sassuolo or PAOK Thessaloniki, neither transfer went through before the deadline.
Now, left unregistered alongside Ulisses Garcia, Pol Lirola, Amine Harit, and Ruben Blanco, Maupay faces the reality of being frozen out. Roberto De Zerbi’s message is clear: Maupay doesn’t fit his plans, and the striker must find a way out sooner rather than later.
What These Omissions Tell Us
This year’s Champions League squads reveal more than just tactical decisions. They expose the complexities of squad building under UEFA regulations, highlight internal club politics, and sometimes serve as not-so-subtle messages to players about their futures.
For Chiesa, Jesus, Buonanotte, Tel, Kimpembe, and Maupay, their absence is not just about missing Europe’s biggest competition — it could be the start of a turning point in their careers.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether these players force their way back into contention — or whether their exclusions accelerate exits that now feel inevitable.
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