Turkish football giants Galatasaray have officially confirmed the injury status of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen following his return from international duty, revealing the results of his MRI examination conducted on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Injury Details and MRI Findings
The 26-year-old forward suffered a significant knock during Nigeria's crucial World Cup playoff final against DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco. According to the club's medical team, Osimhen underwent an MRI scan at Acıbadem Hospital, Galatasaray's sponsor medical facility, which detected a moderate level of strain involving both strain and bleeding in his left hind muscle.
Medical treatment has already commenced for the prolific striker, whose absence was keenly felt during Nigeria's penalty shootout defeat that dashed their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The injury occurred despite Osimhen's outstanding performance earlier in the playoff campaign, where he scored a brace in Nigeria's 4-1 victory over Gabon on November 13.
Match Impact and Super Eagles' Defeat
During the high-stakes final against DR Congo, Osimhen started the match but only managed to feature for 45 minutes before being replaced by Akor Adams at halftime. Television cameras captured the distressed striker in the stands during the second half, visibly uncomfortable yet urging his teammates to continue fighting.
His unexpected departure from the match left Nigerian fans concerned and ultimately proved costly as the Super Eagles failed to secure victory in regular time before succumbing to defeat in the penalty shootout. The loss represents a significant setback for Nigerian football, marking their failure to qualify for the global tournament.
Club Consequences and Award Ceremony Absence
The injury raises immediate concerns for Galatasaray's upcoming fixtures, particularly their Turkish Super Lig match against Genclerbirligi S.K. scheduled for Saturday. Osimhen has been in exceptional form for the Turkish club, having scored nine goals in just 12 matches across all competitions this season.
Galatasaray currently leads the Turkish Super Lig table with 29 points from 12 matches, holding a narrow one-point advantage over arch-rivals Fenerbahce. Osimhen's potential absence could significantly impact their title ambitions during this crucial phase of the season.
In another development, the injury will prevent Osimhen from attending the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat on Wednesday night, November 19. The Nigerian international had been nominated for the prestigious Best Player award alongside Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah.
Despite this setback, Osimhen and his Galatasaray teammates have reason to celebrate off the pitch, as the club's recent partnership agreement with Chinese luxury automobile brand Hongqi will see each squad member receive an exotic vehicle, according to the company's Turkish representative, Yenikoy Motors.
