Galatasaray midfielder Lucas Torreira was punched outside a cafe in the Beyoglu district, with a man taken into custody, police have confirmed. The former Arsenal star, who has been plying his trade in Turkey since 2022, was targeted in an attack that left him with cuts around his left eye. Torreira has lodged a formal complaint against the suspect and is pressing charges.
It has emerged that the perpetrator had a previous criminal record. Authorities also established that a restraining order was already active against the suspect at the time of the assault. The incident took place at a cafe located inside a shopping centre in the Camiikebir neighbourhood. Police attended and apprehended the suspect, who had tried to board a taxi in order to escape the scene.
During the investigation, it transpired that the offender had previously published threatening messages aimed at Lucas Torreira.
Torreira moved to the Turkish team, where he has claimed the Super Lig title in each of the four seasons he’s been at the club. The Uruguayan had slipped down the pecking order at Arsenal and, following loan stints at Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina, secured a permanent departure.
The midfielder was recruited in 2018 by Unai Emery following impressive performances at Sampdoria. His tenacious approach did earn him admirers initially and he netted in a memorable 4-2 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby.
However, he fell out of favour when Emery was succeeded by Mikel Arteta. Torreira’s determination to secure a transfer was driven by his ambition to represent his nation at the forthcoming World Cup. He explained at the time: “I had to have continuity for the World Cup. So that’s why I decided to go to Turkey and Galatasaray.
“Their project ended up convincing me. And it’s very important for a player like me to continue having continuity, as I had last season. The call from Galatasaray came. (Gala and Uruguay goalkeeper) Fernando Musler was very important for me when making this decision.”