Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the club’s UEFA Champions League opener against Sporting CP, and he is also slated to miss Nigeria’s first 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to a groin injury.
According to ESPN, Osimhen is anticipated to miss two to three weeks after scans revealed an advanced-moderate strain with hemorrhage in his right adductor muscle group.
The 27-year-old got the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 Super Lig victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on Friday. He scored the opening goal but was forced off in the 33rd minute.
Galatasaray later verified that MRI and further tests found the strain, and therapy is beginning. The club’s medical update basically rules Osimhen out of Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase start against Sporting CP.
“Following the completion of MR and advanced examinations at our sponsor, Acıbadem Hospital, advanced-moderate level strain (bleeding and strain) has been detected in the right adductor (groin) muscle group of our footballer Victor Osimhen,” Galatasaray said in a post on X.
The injury is also a significant setback for Nigeria, as Osimhen is expected to miss the Super Eagles’ first 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar on September 25 and Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Galatasaray has stated that the striker will return after the international break, in time for their second Champions League-phase encounter on October 13, when Barcelona visits Istanbul.
Osimhen had a strong start to the current season, scoring six goals in four Super Lig games and adding two assists.
After scoring in the 16th minute against Başakşehir, he was replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz 17 minutes later due to injury.
Galatasaray eventually won with Gabriel Sara’s 90th-minute goal after twice losing the lead.
Osimhen’s absence comes at a critical time for both club and nation. Galatasaray kick off their Champions League campaign against Sporting on Wednesday, as Nigeria prepares for the start of their 2027 AFCON qualification campaign later this month.
The striker’s injury adds to the fitness concerns for fellow Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu, who was pulled off during Trabzonspor’s 5-0 win against Gençlerbirliği.
Osimhen’s absence may potentially impede his chase of Rashidi Yekini’s Nigeria scoring record. After scoring eight goals in seven Super Eagles appearances in 2026, the Galatasaray forward is just two goals away from Yekini’s 37.
His most recent international goal came in January, as Nigeria defeated Algeria 2-0 in the AFCON quarterfinals.
