Victor Osimhen is expected to return for Galatasaray’s Turkish Cup clash with Kasımpaşa and their UEFA Champions League meeting with Barcelona next month after suffering a right adductor injury.
The Nigeria international picked up the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on Friday, forcing him to leave the game in the 33rd minute.
Osimhen had made an immediate impact before his withdrawal, putting Galatasaray ahead with a powerful effort that found the top corner.
He was subsequently replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz, with further medical examinations carried out to determine the extent of the problem.
A report from Turkish outlet Le Marca Sports said scans showed a strain to Osimhen’s right adductor muscle, ruling him out of three matches across different competitions.
Galatasaray later confirmed the injury, stating that medical examinations conducted at Acıbadem Hospital revealed a moderate-to-advanced strain involving bleeding in the striker’s right adductor muscle group.
“Following the completion of MR and advanced examinations at our sponsor Acıbadem Hospital, advanced-moderate level strain (bleeding and strain) has been detected in the right adductor (groin) muscle group of our footballer Victor Osimhen,” the club said.
The 27-year-old is expected to miss Galatasaray’s Champions League encounter with Sporting Lisbon, as well as Super Lig fixtures against Kocaelispor and Trabzonspor.
If his recovery progresses as expected, Osimhen could return when Galatasaray face Kasımpaşa in the Turkish Cup on October 11.
His comeback would then be followed by a major European test, with Galatasaray scheduled to face Barcelona in the Champions League two days later.
The injury is a setback for coach Okan Buruk, who will have to manage Galatasaray’s campaign across three competitions without one of his most influential attacking players for a period.
It also comes at an important time for Nigeria, with Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle preparing for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month.
Osimhen has made a strong start to the season for Galatasaray, scoring six goals and providing two assists in four appearances.
His recovery will therefore be closely monitored by both Galatasaray and the Super Eagles as the striker works towards returning to competitive action.