AFCON 2025
Galatasaray’s head coach, Okan Buruk, has confirmed that Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen was forced off with an injury during their high-profile encounter against Liverpool FC, casting a shadow over the contest.
Speaking in his post-match interview, Buruk revealed that the striker sustained the injury in the early stages of the game but initially attempted to play through the discomfort.
“Osimhen is also in pain. It happened at the beginning of the game; we tried to keep him on the pitch, but his pain increased, so we had to substitute him at halftime,” Buruk said.
The decision to withdraw Osimhen at the break underlined the severity of the issue, with Galatasaray’s medical team unwilling to risk further damage to one of their key attacking outlets. The Super Eagles striker, known for his physical presence and relentless pressing, had struggled to impose himself before being replaced.
The coach also added that the referee failed to protect Osimhen against Konate “Looking at Osimhen’s position, we saw that Konaté was able to commit these fouls very easily, he could easily apply any kind of foul. While we were expecting the best referee in the world, perhaps one of the worst referees officiated the game”
His absence in the second half significantly altered Galatasaray’s attacking shape, depriving the Turkish side of a focal point up front against a Liverpool side accustomed to controlling high-tempo European fixtures.
While the full extent of the injury remains unclear, early indications suggest the club will conduct further assessments in the coming days. The timing raises concerns for both Galatasaray and Nigeria, with Osimhen’s fitness now a major talking point ahead of upcoming domestic and international commitments.
“Following the match, a check-up at the hospital under the supervision of our medical team confirmed a fracture in his right forearm, and a cast was applied. A decision regarding surgery will be made in the coming days after further evaluations” the club statement read
For Galatasaray, attention will quickly shift to squad depth and attacking alternatives should their talisman face a spell on the sidelines. For now, however, the immediate concern remains the condition of a striker whose influence continues to define their ambitions on multiple fronts.
