Manny Ita –
The medical department of Galatasaray S.K. has confirmed that Nigerian international Victor Osimhen sustained a significant fracture to his right forearm during the club’s 4-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night. The injury occurred in the opening minutes of the Round of 16 second-leg tie following a high-impact aerial collision with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, who inadvertently landed on the striker’s arm. Despite visible distress, the 27-year-old forward attempted to defy the injury by continuing with a heavily bandaged forearm until the interval, at which point the escalating risk of structural damage forced an immediate substitution.
“In the first half of our away match against Liverpool, our player Victor Osimhen took a blow to his arm and completed the first half, but following checks at halftime, he was not played in the second half due to the risk of a fracture,” the Turkish champions stated in an official medical bulletin released on Thursday morning. The club further revealed that subsequent hospital examinations under the supervision of their medical team confirmed the break, leading to the immediate application of a cast. While the player has been stabilized, the technical staff noted that “a decision regarding a possible surgical procedure will be made in the coming days following further evaluations,” leaving his availability for the remainder of the season in serious doubt.
The loss of the star striker, who has netted seven times in European competition this season, compounded a dismal night for the Istanbul giants as Liverpool overturned a first-leg deficit to advance 4-1 on aggregate. The injury also presents a significant setback for the Nigerian national team’s tactical planning, though the Super Eagles’ immediate focus remains on continental qualifiers following their earlier exit from the 2026 World Cup race. As Galatasaray prepares for a domestic title charge without their talisman, the medical team remains cautious, stating that they will monitor the fracture’s alignment before committing to a definitive recovery timeline or surgical intervention.
