Umit Karan Blasts Osimhen Over Injury Ahead of Galatasaray Return

Posted : 11 September 2026

Turkish football pundit Umit Karan has criticized Victor Osimhen following the Nigerian striker's latest injury setback at Galatasaray.

Karan questioned whether Osimhen could have done more to protect himself from injury with Galatasaray facing a demanding run of fixtures. His comments came after the Turkish champions suffered a 3-1 defeat to Sporting CP in their Champions League opener.

Osimhen missed the match in Lisbon after suffering a right adductor injury during Galatasaray's 3-2 away victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on September 4. He scored the opening goal before leaving the pitch in the 33rd minute.

Galatasaray later confirmed that medical examinations detected a moderate-to-advanced strain involving the Nigerian's right adductor muscle group. The club said treatment had begun, with reports indicating that he could be sidelined for around three weeks.

Karan was particularly critical of the timing of the injury, given the importance of the Champions League campaign.

“I’m also upset with Osimhen. You have a Champions League match in a week. Don’t you dare take care of yourself a little,” Karan said on his YouTube channel and HT Spor.

The former Galatasaray striker also argued that the team looked significantly weaker without Osimhen against Sporting. He questioned Galatasaray's midfield and suggested that the attack struggled to compensate for the Nigerian's absence.

Galatasaray actually made a strong start in Lisbon after Goncalo Inacio's own goal gave them an early lead. Sporting responded through Geny Catamo, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo Zalazar to complete a 3-1 comeback victory.

The result highlighted Galatasaray's dependence on Osimhen's attacking presence. The Nigerian has been one of the club's most important players since his arrival and had scored in every Galatasaray match before the Basaksehir injury, according to reports.

The club's medical team is now focused on his recovery. Reports have identified the upcoming league meeting with Trabzonspor as a possible target for his return, although his recovery timeline will depend on his progress.

Osimhen's absence could also have implications for Nigeria. The Super Eagles are preparing for important 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures, making his recovery a concern for both Galatasaray and the national team.

For now, Karan's comments have added another layer to the debate surrounding Osimhen's latest injury. The striker's priority remains completing his rehabilitation and returning to action without aggravating the adductor problem.

Umit Karan Blasts Osimhen Over Injury Ahead of Galatasaray Return

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