Cherki's Champions League Future with Man City Unveiled for 2025-26 Campaign
Manchester City are seeking to bounce back in this season's Champions League following their catastrophic early departure in 2024–25.
The Citizens were eliminated from the tournament in the knockout play-off round after a disappointing league phase performance, suffering defeats both home and away against Real Madrid as they departed in humiliating fashion.
Pep Guardiola will be demanding significant improvements this campaign in Europe, with City holding aspirations for a second Champions League crown following their inaugural triumph in 2022–23.
The eight-time Premier League winners have now announced their roster for the league phase of this year's tournament, with several new acquisitions preparing for their European debuts with City.
Man City 2025–26 Champions League Squad: Complete Player Roster
Player | Age | Position |
|---|---|---|
Marcus Bettinelli | 33 | GK |
Gianluigi Donnarumma | 26 | GK |
Stefan Ortega | 32 | GK |
James Trafford | 22 | GK |
Matheus Nunes | 27 | RB |
Nathan Aké | 30 | CB |
Rúben Dias | 28 | CB |
Abdukodir Khusanov | 21 | CB |
John Stones | 31 | CB |
Rayan Aït-Nouri | 24 | LB |
Joško Gvardiol | 23 | LB |
Nico González | 23 | DM |
Rodri | 29 | DM |
Mateo Kovačić | 31 | CM |
Tijjani Reijnders | 27 | CM |
Bernardo Silva | 31 | CM |
Rayan Cherki | 22 | AM |
Phil Foden | 25 | AM |
Oscar Bobb | 22 | RW |
Savinho | 21 | RW |
Erling Haaland | 25 | ST |
Omar Marmoush | 26 | ST |
Jérémy Doku | 23 | LW |
City have chosen 23 players for List A, with fresh signings Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Aït-Nouri all included. Cherki has been selected despite suffering a serious injury blow at the start of his tenure with the Citizens—he will be sidelined for roughly two months with a quadriceps tear.
Teams are required to include at least two goalkeepers in their List A squads, but City have exceeded expectations by selecting four. New arrivals Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford and Marcus Bettinelli are included alongside Stefan Ortega.
There are no unexpected inclusions or exclusions in City's squad after Guardiola received his desired smaller roster, though Kalvin Phillips has been omitted despite failing to secure a new club during the summer transfer period.
Man City 2025–26 Champions League Squad: Club Trained Players
Player | Age | Position |
|---|---|---|
Rico Lewis | 20 | RB |
Nico O'Reilly | 20 | LB |
List B comprises players who were born on or after January 1, 2024 and, since their 15th birthday, have been qualified to represent the club for a continuous period of two years, or three straight years with a maximum of one loan period for no more than a year at a club within the same association.
List B is designated for academy products that meet the requirements and both Rico Lewis and Nico O'Reilly have been included in City's squad of club-trained players.
Teams can register an unlimited number of players for List B but must submit their roster before 11 p.m. BST on the day prior to the match.