Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Thu 19 March 2026 9:30, UK

Rio Ngumoha was among the players to send a message to Callum Olusesi after the Tottenham Hotspur youngster made his Champions League debut.

Olusesi came on for the final 10 minutes of Wednesday night’s last-16 second leg, which Spurs went on to win 3-2 thanks to a late Xavi Simons penalty.

However, the damage was very much done in the first leg as Spurs exited the competition 7-5 on aggregate in a high-scoring tie.

Olusesi had another milestone to celebrate, a few days on from making his Premier League bow against Liverpool.

And while Spurs’ loss to Atletico over two legs was disappointing, Olusesi will certainly not forget the contest in a hurry.

Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel also message Callum Olusesi

Olusesi may not have got all that much time on the field, but it was perhaps more than he would have imagined just a couple of weeks ago.

In total, the 19-year-old had eight touches of the ball and completed all five of his attempted passes.

He did not register any shots, key passes or defensive actions, but he was ultimately on the field when Spurs turned the second-leg draw into a victory.

Olusesi took to Instagram shortly after the match to post the message: “Champions league debut”.

That was accompanied with a white love heart, with many Spurs players – and players at other clubs – quick to react.

Liverpool’s Ngumoha replied with a red love heart, while Destiny Udogie replied: “Deserved.”

Mathys Tel also replied with a love heart, while Simons said: “Told you!”.

It is clear to see just how popular Olusesi, who plays in the England youth ranks with Ngumoha, is given the long list of replies and likes.

Could Igor Tudor have a wildcard in his pack?

Igor Tudor was under serious sack pressure at Tottenham this time last week, but the Croatian has now steadied the ship at long last.

In truth, it would have come as no surprise had Tudor been sacked on the back of the first-leg defeat to Atletico.

But credit to the experienced manager for pulling off a couple of decent results, with the second-leg win over Atleti preceded by a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool.

The Atleti win counted for little on the face of it – Spurs still exited the Champions League – but it does get some momentum building.

And in a young gem like Olusesi, who Spurs fans can properly get behind, Tudor may have a wildcard in his pack.

Olusesi will not start the truly massive game with Nottingham Forest this weekend, but he now looks likely to play at least some part from the substitutes’ bench once again.