Osimhen's Injury Discussed by Galatasaray VP

Galatasaray vice president, Mehmet Cibara, has called Victor Osimhen’s knee injury a long-term issue. He dismissed claims that the club’s pitch had anything to do with it.

Osimhen injured his knee during the 2-0 Champions League win over VfB Stuttgart on November 3. He played the whole match, but medical checks later found a problem that needed surgery. He has since had the surgery successfully.

This injury has kept him out of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.

In an interview with GZT, Cibara rejected the idea that the pitch caused injuries. This came up again after Rafael Leao was injured against Amedspor.

“There’s no such thing as injuries happening off the pitch. It has nothing to do with it. Leao’s injury is completely different; Osimhen’s injury is chronic. I won’t say more about it because we’re in the international break,” he said.

Cibara did not share more medical details, but his comments hint at an ongoing fitness problem. Osimhen has missed several games this season, including key matches in Europe and the league.

When he is fit, Osimhen plays a big part in Galatasaray’s attack. He has scored nine goals in eight Super Lig matches this season. This includes both goals in the win over Fenerbahce on October 26 and one in the 4-0 victory against Konyaspor.

Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has left him out of the squad for the two games against Tanzania. Osimhen has not played for Nigeria since the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Morocco in January.