Victor Osimhen injury: What we know about Super Eagles star’s surgery & return date

Victor Osimhen could spend up to four weeks on the sidelines after Galatasaray confirmed that the Super Eagles striker needs surgery on his left knee following their 2-0 UEFA Champions League victory over VfB Stuttgart.

The Turkish champions announced on Friday, November 6, that the 27-year-old had suffered a knee strain, with an MRI scan also revealing a loose fragment inside the joint.

Osimhen is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Saturday, November 7, under the supervision of club doctor Yener İnce.

He has already been ruled out of Galatasaray’s Süper Lig clash against Amed SK on Saturday, while his chances of featuring for Nigeria during the November international break appear slim.

The Super Eagles are preparing for two important 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Tanzania, and head coach Eric Chelle may have to make his plans without his first-choice striker.

What happened to Victor Osimhen’s knee and how long will he be out?

Medical examinations revealed that Victor Osimhen suffered a strain in his left knee, while doctors also discovered a loose piece of bone or cartilage inside the joint.

Such fragments can cause pain, swelling and difficulty moving the knee, especially when they become trapped between the joint surfaces.

Galatasaray’s medical team have recommended arthroscopic surgery to remove the fragment. The procedure involves making small incisions around the knee and inserting a camera and surgical instruments to locate and remove the loose material.

Unlike traditional open surgery, arthroscopy involves smaller cuts and generally allows patients to recover more quickly.

Osimhen could be out for between two and four weeks, depending on the success of the operation and how his knee responds to treatment.

The first week of his recovery is expected to involve reducing swelling and restoring movement in the affected knee. He could begin light exercises and gradually increase the amount of weight placed on the leg during the second week.

If there are no complications, the striker could resume running and football-related exercises in the third or fourth week before returning to full training.

That would put his possible return in early or mid-December, although Galatasaray have yet to announce how long he will be unavailable.

Victor Osimhen'in dizinin esnediği pozisyon.

Önce Barış Alper Yılmaz zemine takılıp isyan ediyor ardından ise Osimhen.

Bu sorumlular kimse hiç vakit kaybetmeden derhal istifa etmelidir. pic.twitter.com/7jWKdAm33j

— Volkan Yılmaz (@_vlknylmz) November 6, 2026

Super Eagles face Tanzania without their leading striker

Victor Osimhen’s injury has left Nigeria facing the prospect of playing both November AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania without their leading striker.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to host the Taifa Stars on November 13 before travelling for the return fixture four days later.

Chelle will be concerned about losing Osimhen, particularly after Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in September.

The Super Eagles need to pick up points against Tanzania to improve their position in Group L and keep their qualification hopes on track.

Osimhen’s absence would force Chelle to consider other attackers for the two matches. George Ilenikhena, Tolu Arokodare, Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi are all Super Eagles forwards in top goalscoring form at the moment.

At club level, the former Napoli striker will miss Saturday’s meeting with Amed SK, while his participation in Galatasaray’s remaining November fixtures is also in doubt.

Victor Osimhen’s injury problems continue in 2026

Victor Osimhen has struggled to stay fit throughout 2026, with the latest knee injury adding to a series of problems that have kept him out of action.

The former Napoli man picked up a knock during Nigeria’s clash with Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in January. That injury kept him out of the Super Eagles’ third-place playoff against Egypt.

In September, he picked up a right adductor injury during Galatasaray’s match against İstanbul Başakşehir.

The injury kept him out for approximately 33 days and forced him to withdraw from Nigeria’s early AFCON qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

He also suffered an ankle injury while representing Nigeria against Rwanda, leaving the pitch before the end of the game.

His latest injury means another spell in the treatment room, barely a month after recovering from his previous muscular problem.

Galatasaray will be hoping to have their leading striker available again in December as they continue their domestic title defence and Champions League campaign.