FULL LIST: ALL Nigerian stars to watch as new-look UCL kicks off

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League (UCL) season begins with 36 teams in a new-look single-table group stage.

In recent years, every edition of the UCL has featured Nigerian footballers. Prominent stars like Finidi George, Kanu Nwankwo, and John Obi Mikel have won the competition, and a host of others have made some mark on Europe’s biggest stage.

Regardless of its twisted format, when the new UCL season kicks off on Tuesday, more Nigerians will be representing their various club across Europe.

TheCable presents all the Nigerian stars set to carry on the torch and possibly set records this season.

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (ATALANTA)

Lookman has been a key figure for Atalanta, and his hattrick won the Europa League final for the Bergamo side’s first-ever European title. Lookman has continued from where he left off last season and would be needed to maintain top form if Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will shock the elites.

VICTOR BONIFACE (BAYER LEVERKUSEN)

Like Lookman, Boniface was integral to Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic run last season and has already scored thrice this term. The 23-year-old, who won the 2023/24 Bundesliga Rookie of the Season winner, would look to make big statements this season at UCL.

NATHAN TELLA (BAYER LEVERKUSEN)

Tella, a former Arsenal academy player, continues to claim his place in the Leverkusen team despite fierce competition, and the England-born winger’s versatility continues to be his greatest asset. He has featured in all four of Leverkusen’s five matches this season and will be expected to feature heavily on their UCL sojourn.

RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA (CLUB BRUGGE)

The 23-year-old FC Ebedei product won the Belgian Super League with Brugge last season and is still regarded as an important player for the Bruges-based club despite unsuccessfully pushing for a transfer to Galatasaray. It will be interesting to watch if Onyedika can get his head back in the team and turn the club’s European fortunes around.

PETER OLAYINKA (RED STAR BELGRADE)

The 28-year-old, who was born in Ibadan, is a veteran of the Europa League but stepped up to UCL with Red Star last season. He was sparingly used as the Serbian champions finished bottom of Group G and would look to feature more prominently this term.

VICTOR ELETU (AC MILAN)

The 19-year-old has been with AC Milan since 2018 and plays for its youth team in the third-tier Italian football. The midfielder is one to look out for in the future, and his inclusion in the club’s UCL squad is an indication of potential.

SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE (AC MILAN)

Big things are expected of the dribbling maestro, who mostly flatters to deceive. The 25-year-old, however, has European pedigree as a Europa League winner with Villarreal, and it is hoped he can make an impact this season.

GEORGE ILENIKHENA (AS MONACO)

Wonderkid and beast are two superlatives used to describe the 18-year-old forward who idolizes Cristiano Ronaldo. He recently joined from Antwerp, where he earned a maiden UCL appearance and delivered a historic feat for the Belgian club. Ilenikhena’s late goal sealed a 3-2 win over Barcelona for the club’s first-ever UCL win, and he could do more this season.

ELVIS ISAAC (SLOVAN BRATISLAVA)

The 22-year-old winger plays mostly for the club’s Team B in the second division, where he has three goals in four matches. He was on the bench in all eight of Slovan’s UCL qualifying round games and could be an impact player.

VICTOR OLATUNJI (SPARTA PRAGUE)

The Sokoto-born striker has been an important player for the Czech club since joining last year. In his first season, he won the League and Cup double. He was also integral to his club qualifying for the UCL group stage for the first time in 19 years.