Fenerbahçe midfielder Mesut Özil has been ruled out for at least the next four weeks after suffering ligament damage in his left ankle during the Turkish side’s 1-1 draw with Antalyaspor on Thursday night, the Sun reports.
The former Arsenal record signing and Real Madrid star was stretchered off the pitch on 67 minutes after an awkward tackle from Angolan international Fredy Ribeiro, who had scored the opening goal of the match.
Özil is expected to miss the Yellow Canaries’ matches against twelfth-placed Konyaspor, bottom-of-the-table Gençlerbirliği and a huge top-of-the-table clash against second-placed Beşiktaş.
Mesut Özil ‘Really Sad’ to Be Missing Some Key Matches for Fenerbahçe
Lengthy Spell On Sidelines Expected as Mesut Özil Ruptures Ligaments
Fenerbahçe currently sit third in the table of the Turkish Super League, just two points behind league leaders Galatasaray.
“I am very sorry that I will not be able to help our team in the upcoming games due to partial tears in the inner and outer lateral ligaments of my feet,” the 2014 World Cup winner tweeted in Turkish. “I will do my best to get back on the field as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your support and all good wishes.”
“Really sad that I won’t be able to help my team due to an outer ligament tear in the next few games, but it could have been worse and I’ll try everything to be back on the pitch soon,” Özil added in English. “Thanks for all your messages & support.”
Since leaving Arsenal, Özil has gotten off to a slow start with the Istanbul side. The 32-year-old has played in six league games and one Turkish Cup match without recording any goals or assists.
Fenerbahçe Need Some Inspired Performances to Keep Title Challenge Up
Despite his lack of performances, Fenerbahçe are likely to miss the creativity and passing range of Özil. The club already have some key injuries to attacking players and a few others are at risk of suspension.
Left-winger Diego Perotti remains out until May and forward Enner Valencia, who scored the equaliser on Thursday, is one yellow card away from suspension.
It will be up to the likes of José Sosa and Mert Hakan Yandaş to create chances for Fenerbahçe from the middle of the park until Özil returns.
Arsenal’s player of the season in 2015/16 joined the 19-time Turkish Super League champions in January on a free transfer after terminating his contract with the Gunners.
The five-time German player of the year had spent the last two years of his time at Arsenal in and out of the side. Most recently, he had fallen out of favour with Mikel Arteta, failing to make a single appearance in any competitions during the 2020/21 campaign.
Main Photo
