OM: five pros left out of the Champions League squad

OM’s List A

In accordance with UEFA rules, Olympique de Marseille has named 22 players on List A (maximum 25). The list includes:

• Goalkeepers: Rulli, De Lange
• Defenders: Egan-Riley, Balerdi, Aguerd, Pavard, Medina, Emerson, Murillo
• Midfielders: Angel Gomes, O’Riley, Vermeeren, Kondogbia, Hamed Traoré, Timothy Weah, Højbjerg, Nadir
• Forwards: Gouiri, Greenwood, Paixão, Vaz, Aubameyang

A squad built around a revamped central spine (Aguerd–Pavard), technically gifted additions in midfield (O’Riley, Vermeeren, Gomes), and attacking weapons capable of making an impact in Europe.

Notable absentees and decisive choices

Olympique de Marseille has finalized its squad for the 2025–26 Champions League. In accordance with the regulations, the Marseille club has submitted a List A comprising 22 players.

This selection means that several members of the first-team squad will not be able to take part in the European competition. This is the case for Ruben Blanco, Ulisses Garcia, Pol Lirola, Amine Harit and Neal Maupay, who were left off the list. While some choices appear purely sporting, others are also explained by the limits imposed by UEFA regulations regarding squad size and homegrown players.

UEFA’s regulatory framework

List A may not exceed 25 players, of whom at least eight must be homegrown. These requirements are split between club-trained players and players trained at a club within the same association. Furthermore, each club must register at least two goalkeepers on this list and have at least three goalkeepers in total, including those on List B. In the event of a long-term injury, a change is permitted, but only under specific conditions set by UEFA.

Bakola, Abdallah and List B

Note that youngsters such as Bakola (born in 2007) and Abdallah are considered club-trained and therefore do not need to be registered on List A. They can be added to List B, which is unlimited and submitted before each match, provided they meet the criteria: being club-trained for at least two years, uninterrupted, since the age of 15. Unlike Robinio Vaz, who must be included on List A, these youngsters can therefore be fielded in the Champions League without taking up a spot in the main squad.

Players on their way out anyway?

As for those not selected, some are still expected to leave, even though OM’s management has said it wants to rely on a slightly larger squad this season than last. As a reminder, although the French market is now closed, it is still possible to sign in Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Turkey or Qatar.