Leon Balogun suffers fracture following Rangers’ Europa League exit

Obi Donald

16 hours ago

Super Eagles and Rangers defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun, has confirmed he suffered a cheekbone fracture in his side’s 2-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 36-year-old has played 26 games across all competitions for the Record Scottish Champions this season, featuring in five more games than he managed through the entirety of the last campaign.

Balogun had to be forced off the pitch after he crashed into his teammate, John Souttar, in the 59th minute at the San Mames Barria in Bilbao.

Leon Balogun, centre-back of Rangers FC and Nigeri,a during the UEFA Europa League. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE;

Leon Balogun of Rangers applauds supporters after the final whistle during the William Hill Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Leon Balogun. — Leon Balogun of Rangers applauds supporters after the final whistle during the William Hill Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

After the game, the veteran defender confirmed he had to leave the pitch following a cheekbone fracture, and with five league games left for Rangers to play this season, his season might be over.

“I’ve fractured my cheekbone again, so it’s the fourth time, I think, in my career. I knew it straight away, and I knew that I had to come off with it.

“I asked the doc if there’s any chance for me to stay on, but then the pain normally kicks in five, 10 minutes after, and then it’s not really nice.

“We’ll see how severe, but probably we’ll need a little small surgery or something, and then a few days rest, and then I can go back on with the mask,” Balogun said in quotes revealed by BBC Sports.

Leon Balogun, centre-back of Rangers FC and Nigeria, during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

“About the game, I think you have to be honest, and I don’t think we showed enough quality today to severely threaten them.

“We all came here with a lot more expectations, probably to ourselves, and we did not really live up to it.

“I know this is not what the supporters and the people back home want to hear, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up, and I think Bilbao showed that they’re the better team,” the former Brighton and Hove Albion defender concluded.

Manchester United, ManU v Rangers Europa League 23/01/2025. Leon Balogun 27 of Rangers receives treatment. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Losing the UEFA Europa League quarter finals means Rangers technically have nothing to play for this season except making sure they finish their SPFL season in second place.

They’re currently second, 13 points above Hibernian, but a whooping 15 points behind league leaders, Celtic.