Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to return to action wearing a specialised forearm protective splint after successfully undergoing surgery for a fractured right arm, adding a second piece of protective armour to a career already defined by resilience in the face of serious injury.
Galatasaray confirmed on Monday, March 23, that the procedure was carried out by club physician Dr. Yener İnce at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul. The club described the operation as successful and expressed optimism about the Nigerian striker’s recovery.
How the injury happened
Osimhen fractured his right forearm during an aerial collision with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté in the first half of Galatasaray’s 4-0 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg defeat at Anfield on March 18. Despite being in visible pain with his arm strapped up on the pitch, the 27-year-old showed remarkable determination to complete the first half before being replaced at the interval on medical advice.
Galatasaray’s official statement confirmed a fracture of the right forearm, with a cast applied immediately after hospital examination following the match.
The protective splint
With his forearm unlikely to be fully healed by the time he returns to the pitch, Osimhen is expected to wear a forearm protective splint a specialised device designed to immobilise the forearm and wrist, support the bone during the healing process, reduce pain, and prevent further damage by restricting unnecessary movement. The device typically features adjustable straps for compression and breathable padding for comfort. Galatasaray will need to work with medical staff to produce a custom design that ensures maximum safety without hindering his performance.
Osimhen is already familiar with wearing protective gear during matches, having donned a facial mask since a 2021 cheekbone fracture. The arm splint will become a second piece of protective armour on the pitch.
Osimhen’s reaction
The striker has refused to let the injury dampen his outlook. Speaking on a social media livestream before his surgery, Osimhen drew comparisons to the 2021 head injury that gave him metal plates in his face. “I’m not new to this kind of thing; I have gone through much worse,” he said. “I have metal plates in my face as a result of a previous collision. Compared to that, this current fracture is a minor case.”
Osimhen also disclosed that Konaté reached out after the match to check on his well-being, a gesture he said helped clear any tension from the incident.
Recovery timeline
Osimhen is targeting a return to action within six weeks — approximately four weeks for the bone to heal and a further two weeks to regain match fitness. If that timeline is met, Galatasaray could have their star forward back before the end of April, in time for crucial Süper Lig fixtures.
His absence will be felt at a critical stage of the season. Galatasaray are pushing for a domestic double, and the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26 is among the matches he could miss.
His season so far
Despite battling hamstring and ankle problems earlier in the campaign, Osimhen has been directly involved in 26 goals this season, contributing 19 goals and seven assists across all competitions before the injury. He had been one of the most clinical forwards in European football in the weeks leading up to the Liverpool clash.
Super Eagles impact
Osimhen’s injury ruled him out of the Super Eagles’ March international window. He was absent from coach Eric Chelle’s squad for the friendly matches against Iran and Jordan in Antalya, Turkey, this week. The striker also missed out on a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Nigeria were eliminated in a playoff by DR Congo, meaning the Galatasaray season represents his most significant stage this year, making a full recovery all the more important for both club and country.