Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen says he is ready to return for their crucial Super Lig match-day 14 derby against rivals Fenerbahçe on Monday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian forward has missed Galatasaray’s last two matches after sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty. The club confirmed two weeks ago that he had started treatment following a scan for the injury picked up during Nigeria’s defeat to DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup African play-off final.
Although Galatasaray did not reveal a specific recovery timeline, Osimhen has been strongly tipped to be fit for the derby, having missed the league game against Gençlerbirliği and the Champions League loss to USG.
According to Turkish journalist Mehmet Özcan, Osimhen has informed his teammates that he is prepared to take a risk and give his all.
“I know how important the Fenerbahçe derby is and what it means to the fans. I felt that excitement last season. This club invested in me for moments like this. If necessary, I will take risks and step onto the pitch to give 100 per cent,” Osimhen said, as quoted by Forza Cimbom.
Osimhen was left out of the squad in Galatasaray’s last two outings, so it remains unclear whether he will be declared fit in time for the derby.
Galatasaray sit top of the Super Lig with 32 points, holding a narrow one-point lead over Fenerbahçe.
During his loan spell last season, Osimhen faced Fenerbahçe three times, scoring twice in a 2-1 cup win and providing an assist in a 3-1 league victory in September.
This season, the 26-year-old has three goals in nine league matches and nine in 12 appearances across all competitions. He joined Galatasaray permanently in the summer after a prolific 2024/25 loan campaign from Napoli, during which he scored 37 goals in 41 games.
The derby is expected to be tense as usual, with reports in Turkey stating that 16,000 security personnel will be deployed for the match.
