Mohammed Salisu set to miss Champions League opener due to injury

Ghanaian defender Mohammed Salisu has been ruled out of AS Monaco’s UEFA Champions League opener against Club Brugge on Thursday night due to a minor injury setback.

The 26-year-old centre-back completed the full 90 minutes in Monaco’s 2-1 away win over AJ Auxerre last weekend, but picked up a niggle in the process. Although he managed to finish the game, medical checks confirmed he would not be fit in time for the crucial European tie in Belgium.

Salisu’s absence adds to Monaco’s growing injury list, with club captain Denis Zakaria and Aleksandr Golovin also sidelined:

“Mohammed Salisu was injured in a duel in Auxerre and will therefore not be available for this trip. Then, in the morning, we had bad news about Denis Zakaria, who felt discomfort in the adductor and will therefore be out for a few weeks. Regarding Aleksandr Golovin, he will be out for about a month,” Head coach, Adolf Hütter stated.

The Black Stars defender endured a difficult outing against Auxerre, as he scored an own goal despite Monaco securing all three points. That match marked his first Ligue 1 appearance of the 2025/26 season, underlining his struggle for regular minutes since last season.

For Salisu, the setback is particularly frustrating as he looks to establish himself as a key figure in Monaco’s defence this campaign.

The former Southampton and Real Valladolid player will now focus on recovering swiftly to return to action in the domestic league and the Champions League group stage.