Moroccan striker Hamza Ighmane will miss Lille’s Champions League group-stage campaign as he continues his recovery from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti confirmed the 23-year-old forward’s absence ahead of Tuesday’s opening Champions League fixture against Spanish side Real Betis.
Ighmane has been sidelined since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18 in Morocco.
The Lille forward was introduced in the 98th minute of the final but was forced off after sustaining the injury towards the end of the first period of extra time.
The setback followed another injury setback earlier in the season, when Ighmane suffered a muscle problem during Lille’s 15th league match in December 2025, shortly before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.
His prolonged recovery means Lille will have to begin their European campaign without one of their attacking options.
Veteran striker Olivier Giroud is expected to shoulder greater responsibility in Ighmane’s absence. The experienced French forward has made an encouraging start to the campaign and could play an important role as Lille balance their domestic and European commitments.
Lille have also made a positive start to the new Ligue 1 season, collecting seven points from their opening three matches after victories over Toulouse and Angers.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, has warned his players about the challenge posed by Real Betis and stressed the experience within the Spanish side.
“Many of them have previously won the Champions League. Betis is a well-organized team, always difficult to play against, and they have a good defensive structure,” Ancelotti said.
Although Ighmane will miss the opening stage of the competition, there remains a possibility that he could return later in Lille’s European campaign if his rehabilitation progresses as expected.
Should Lille advance to the knockout stages, the Moroccan could potentially make his Champions League debut later in the tournament.
For now, Ighmane’s priority remains completing his rehabilitation and returning to full fitness. Lille and the Moroccan national team will continue to monitor his recovery as the promising forward works towards a return to competitive football.
