Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray and Nigeria forward, underwent successful surgery on his left knee on 7 November 2026. According to Nigerian journalists, a loose fragment was removed, and the timetable for his return remains uncertain, including for Aston Villa.
Injured in the left knee during the Champions League match against Stuttgart, the 27-year-old Nigerian forward underwent successful surgery on 7 November 2026, according to Foot-Africa and Apex Football. The operation was performed at Maslak Acıbadem hospital by Yener İnce, the club’s doctor.
According to Nigerian journalists in Uyo, cited by Foot-Africa, the doctors took advantage of the operation to remove a loose fragment from the left knee. This information, which is not presented as a club announcement, complicates the reading of an already unclear return timetable, while Nigeria must cope without the forward.
A timetable that divides predictions
Initial estimates suggested an absence of three to four weeks. Turkish journalist Celik Cagatay had even put forward a more optimistic range of two to three weeks, Foot-Africa reports.
The presence of a detached fragment changes the picture, however. According to the same source, this type of injury could require more than a month before a return to competition. The state of the knee should be clearer within 10 to 14 days.
Samsunspor, Aston Villa: the plan discussed internally
According to Emre Kaplan, an internal source cited by Apex Football, Galatasaray’s plan is for Osimhen to miss the Süper Lig match against Samsunspor but return for the Champions League match against Aston Villa, a possible comeback in late November.
In remarks reported by Apex Football, relaying Winner Galatasaray and LiberoTV: “Galatasaray’s plan is for Osimhen to miss the Samsunspor match but return to action for the Aston Villa match.”
This is not an official club announcement: caution is therefore needed over that return against Aston Villa, while awaiting a more precise medical update.
The Super Eagles without their forward
Osimhen is absent from Nigeria’s squad for the double header against Tanzania, Africa Top Sports reports. His absence deprives the national team of one of its forwards, at a time when he is himself in the treatment phase.
Galatasaray’s next fixture is the Süper Lig match against Samsunspor, for which Osimhen is expected to be absent. The possible return against Aston Villa, in the Champions League, could come in late November, with no official date at this stage.