Osimhen injury update: Galatasaray set return plan before Barcelona clash
Retold by Oddsrama · 6 October 2026
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Victor Osimhen is closing in on a return to competitive action for Galatasaray after spending part of Nigeria's international break in Lagos, where he continued his rehabilitation under close medical supervision. The Super Eagles striker suffered a right groin injury—specifically an advanced-moderate strain with bleeding in the adductor muscle—during Galatasaray's 3-2 win over İstanbul Başakşehir back in September. That setback forced him to miss the Champions League opener against Sporting CP and several domestic matches, but recovery has now progressed far enough that the Turkish club is plotting his re-entry into matches.
The plan is straightforward: use the Kasımpaşa fixture on October 9 as a controlled comeback opportunity, with Osimhen expected to get around 30 minutes if match conditions allow. Manager Okan Buruk won't rush his star striker into a full 90-minute outing. Instead, this appearance serves as a fitness test—a chance to feel out the groin under real match pressure and rebuild match sharpness without unnecessary risk. Just four days later, Galatasaray host Barcelona in a Champions League clash at RAMS Park, so Buruk needs to know exactly where Osimhen stands.
The timing matters for Galatasaray's season credentials. Before his injury, Osimhen had been electric, scoring six goals and adding two assists in his first four league games. With him sidelined, the club has slipped to second place in the Süper Lig table, behind Gift Orban's Amed SK on goal difference. Getting their talisman back and building his fitness methodically could be the difference between competing domestically and making noise in Europe.
From a betting angle, Osimhen's return adds layers to upcoming Galatasaray fixtures. Bettors tracking the Barcelona clash should factor in whether he'll be available, and at what capacity. A striker of his calibre—even at 70 per cent fitness—changes how defences approach Galatasaray's attack. Watch team sheets closely over the next fortnight.
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