Galatasaray have confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen suffered a fracture to his right forearm following an injury sustained during their UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool on March 18, 2026.
The Turkish side were eliminated from the competition after Liverpool overturned a 1-0 first-leg defeat with a dominant 4-0 victory in the return leg, sealing a 4-1 aggregate win. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah secured the result for the English club in a largely one-sided encounter.
According to the club and reports from TRT Spor, Galatasaray’s defeat was compounded by injuries to two key players during the match. Osimhen picked up a knock to his arm in the first half but was able to complete the opening 45 minutes before being withdrawn at halftime due to concerns over a possible fracture.
In an official statement, Galatasaray said initial assessments at halftime ruled him out of the second half, and further medical checks confirmed the injury.
“Following the match, a check-up at the hospital under the supervision of our medical team revealed that our player had a fracture in his right forearm, and a cast was applied,” the club stated. “A decision regarding surgery will be made in the coming days after further evaluation.”
The club also confirmed that another player, Noa Lang, sustained a serious thumb injury after a collision with the advertisement boards. He is scheduled to undergo surgery in Liverpool before returning to Istanbul.
“Due to a serious cut to his right thumb, he will undergo surgery in the coming hours with our medical team present,” Galatasaray added.
The timing of the injuries may provide some relief, as they coincide with an international break, allowing both players time to recover.
Osimhen, however, was not included in Nigeria’s squad for recent international fixtures against Jordan and Iran in an invitational tournament in Antalya, Turkey. The omission came as the Nigeria Football Federation shifts focus following a failed bid to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoff, after losing its case at FIFA to DR Congo.
Osimhen’s injury will now raise concerns for both Galatasaray and Nigeria, as his recovery timeline remains uncertain pending further medical evaluation.
