Cyriel Dessers endured an unusual moment during Rangers’ Europa League quarter-final tie against Athletic Bilbao, as the Nigerian forward had his shirt ripped apart during a fierce exchange on the pitch.
In a tense and physical battle at Ibrox on Thursday night, Dessers found himself at the centre of a brief but striking incident.
As he battled for possession, a Bilbao defender grabbed onto his jersey with considerable force, tearing it down the middle.
The incident occurred in full view of the referee, yet no foul was awarded despite the aggressive nature of the challenge.
Dessers was left with a badly torn shirt, exposing much of his upper body in a moment that quickly circulated on social media.
With the fabric hanging loose and unfit for play, the match official instructed him to leave the field briefly to change into a fresh kit before he could resume his role in attack.
The 29-year-old striker, who has been a regular figure in Rangers’ European campaign, took the moment in stride, returning to the pitch moments later in a new jersey.
Despite his efforts, it proved to be a difficult evening for the Scottish side, who were ultimately knocked out of the competition by a disciplined and determined Bilbao side.
Rangers had entered the second leg hoping to overturn a first-leg deficit, but the Basque visitors proved resilient, controlling key moments of the match and managing to see out the tie to progress to the semi-finals.
While Dessers worked tirelessly up front, chances were limited as the Spanish outfit maintained their defensive shape and discipline throughout the contest.
The incident involving Dessers was one of the more dramatic individual moments of the match, drawing attention not only for its unusual nature but also for highlighting the physical intensity of the encounter.
The Nigerian international continued to play with characteristic determination after the shirt change, but the night ultimately ended in disappointment for both him and his teammates.
No official comment was made by Rangers or UEFA regarding the incident, and while the foul was not called during the match, it added fuel to the frustrations of the Rangers fans, many of whom felt their side were on the wrong end of several contentious decisions.
Dessers, who has been capped for Nigeria and is well-regarded for his strength and movement in the final third, has enjoyed a mixed European campaign with the Scottish giants.
Thursday’s defeat brings an end to the club’s hopes of silverware on the continental stage this season, leaving them to focus on their domestic objectives in the Scottish Premiership and Cup.
While the result was disappointing, Dessers’ torn shirt moment offered a stark image of the raw physicality often on display in high-stakes European football — a reminder that even in the modern game, not all battles are won with the ball at one’s feet.
Better team won over the two legs but every big call went their way over 2 legs to no one’s surprise.
Propper sending off.
Penalty in 1st leg.
Non-pen on Dessers
Penalty for them
Non-pen for handball which was very similar to the Sterling handball. pic.twitter.com/dkwT2qi6oz— Lord BJK (@TrongateTramps) April 18, 2025
