Galatasaray vice-president Mehmet Cibara has apologised after sparking controversy with comments about Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen‘s injury history.
Osimhen is currently sidelined with a knee injury sustained during Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Stuttgart last week.
The 27-year-old appeared to lose his balance on the slippery surface at Rams Park before twisting his knee while attempting to release a pass to a team-mate.
The incident prompted criticism from supporters, who questioned the condition of the playing surface and called on the Turkish champions to address concerns about the pitch.
The debate intensified after Portuguese winger Rafael Leao also suffered an injury on the same playing surface a few days later.
Speaking at Galatasaray’s November General Assembly meeting, Cibara, who represented club president Dursun Özbek, defended the condition of the pitch and rejected suggestions that it was responsible for the injuries.
He also made a controversial reference to Osimhen’s medical history.
“This pitch was held up as an example in Europe a year ago. Before that, there was an incredible downpour an hour before the Manchester United match. The UEFA delegate said, ‘We probably won’t be able to play this match,’ but 10 minutes later, the dryness of the pitch increased from 10% to 65%. He couldn’t believe it.”
“There’s no such thing as injuries happening on the field. It has nothing to do with it. Leao’s injury is completely different, Osimhen’s injury is chronic. I won’t say more about that, because we’re in the international break,” Cibara was quoted as saying by Turkish publication Fotospor.
His remarks attracted criticism from sections of the Turkish media, with particular concern over his apparent suggestion that Osimhen had a chronic injury condition.
Cibara subsequently issued a clarification and apology, insisting that he had used the wrong medical terminology.
“I apologise. I am a highly qualified mechanical engineer. I used a medically incorrect term. I said chronic instead of acute. I wanted to correct it. Osimhen does not have a chronic illness. Rest assured,” he said.
The clarification came amid growing concerns over the striker’s fitness, with his latest setback adding to a series of injuries he has experienced during his professional career.
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Osimhen’s remarkable impact at Galatasaray
Despite his injury concerns, Osimhen has established himself as one of the most influential players at Galatasaray since arriving from Napoli in September 2024.
Initially joining on a season-long loan, the Nigerian international quickly became a fan favourite through his goalscoring exploits, physical presence and relentless work rate.
He scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions during his debut campaign, helping Galatasaray win the Turkish Super Lig and Turkish Cup.
His performances were particularly impressive in Europe, where he scored six goals in seven UEFA Europa League appearances. Osimhen’s contribution also saw him finish the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season as the division’s leading scorer with 26 goals.
His impressive loan spell convinced Galatasaray to secure his permanent signing in July 2025 on a four-year contract. He continued his excellent form in the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 22 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances, as the Istanbul club retained their league title.
The striker has maintained his scoring influence in the 2026-27 season, registering 10 goals and three assists in 11 appearances across competitions before his latest injury setback.
Overall, his goalscoring record has made him a central figure in Galatasaray’s domestic and European ambitions.
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Injury concerns remain
Osimhen’s aggressive style of play, characterised by powerful runs, high-intensity pressing, physical challenges and frequent sprints, has made fitness management an important aspect of his career.
He has experienced several injury setbacks during his time at Napoli and Galatasaray, with some forcing him to miss important club and international fixtures.
However, there has been no medical evidence presented publicly to establish that his current knee injury is a chronic condition. For Galatasaray, his absence represents a significant setback, particularly given his importance to their attacking output.
The Turkish champions will now hope their leading striker makes a full recovery and returns to action without further complications.
