Victor Osimhen’s electrifying form and unrelenting work ethic have made him one of the most exciting strikers in world football.
However, his career journey has been marred by a recurring adversary, as injuries have constantly been a challenge for him.
The Nigeria forward, currently on loan at Galatasaray, is facing another spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the 3-2 win against Sivasspor on Sunday.
The 25-year-old striker made a significant impact in the game, scoring a crucial penalty just before half-time.
Yet, his evening ended prematurely in the 74th minute, when he was replaced by Victor Nelsson after experiencing discomfort in his thigh.
Diagnosis and recovery
On Monday, Galatasaray confirmed Osimhen’s condition following a detailed MRI scan.
The club revealed that the striker suffered a moderate strain and bleeding in his right upper back muscle group during the Sivasspor match.
Treatment commenced immediately, but the medical team refrained from setting a definitive timeline for his recovery.
Sources close to the player suggest he could be sidelined for approximately 15 days, ruling him out of Galatasaray’s crucial Europa League clash against Malmö on Thursday.
This latest setback disrupts a season where Osimhen has been instrumental for Galatasaray, contributing nine goals and three assists since joining on loan.
Earlier this season, he suffered a thigh muscle strain during Galatasaray's Super Lig encounter against Kasımpaşa on September 28, where he scored twice in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
That injury sidelined him for 14 days, causing him to miss three matches before making a triumphant return against Antalyaspor, where he scored in a 3-0 victory.
Just as he was finding his rhythm at Galatasaray, this new injury struck, raising concerns about his long-term fitness.
Osimhen injury history
Osimhen’s playing style, marked by his explosive pace, physicality, and relentless pressing, makes him a nightmare for defenders but also renders him susceptible to injuries.
Osimhen's time at German side Wolfsburg was blighted by injuries, with the then teenager suffering two shoulder injuries that in 2018 that made him miss about 114 days.
After his move to Napoli in 2021, he suffered another shoulder injury that kept him out of football for 62 days.
His history of physical setbacks paints a troubling picture.
Here is a breakdown of his injury issues in the last three years.
- February 2021: Head injury – 11 days out
- October 2021: Calf strain – 7 days out
- November 2021: Broken cheekbone – 54 days out
- April 2022: Muscular issues – 2 days out
- September 2022: Hamstring injury – 32 days out
- March 2023: Abductor injury – 18 days out
- August 2023: Muscle fatigue – 5 days out
- October 2023: Hamstring injury – 42 days out
- February 2024: Fitness concerns – 2 days out
- March 2024: Muscular problems – 4 days out
- May 2024: Muscle fatigue – 38 days out
- September 2024: Muscle strain – 14 days out
- December 2024: Muscle strain – 15 days (estimated)
Despite these setbacks, Osimhen’s resilience remains commendable.
Osimhen injury: Impact on the Super Eagles
Injuries have plagued Osimhen's international career as well, often depriving the Super Eagles of their talisman in crucial moments.
Back in 2021, he missed the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations after breaking his cheekbone and eye socket in a clash with Inter Milan defender Milan Škriniar.
The injury led to him wearing the mask which has now become his trademark.
Nigeria sorely missed him, bowing out in the second round to Tunisia.
In June 2024, Osimhen sat out Nigeria’s opening FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin due to muscle fatigue, a setback that cost him four games for his club and two for the national team.
The Super Eagles struggled without him, underscoring his importance to the team.
More recently, he missed the October 2024 double-header against Libya in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to another injury, further highlighting how injuries have consistently disrupted his availability.
For Galatasaray and Nigeria, the hope is that Osimhen’s injury troubles will soon become a thing of the past, allowing him to unleash his full potential and cement his legacy as one of Africa’s finest footballers.
