Former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira was allegedly punched multiple times during an assault at a shopping centre in Istanbul, with police taking a suspect into custody. The incident occurred outside a cafe in the Beyoglu district, leaving the Galatasaray player with grazes around his left eye.
Attack Details
The 30-year-old Uruguayan international, who has been with Galatasaray since 2022, filed a formal complaint and is pressing charges against the alleged attacker. Authorities revealed that the suspect had a prior criminal record and was subject to a restraining order at the time of the assault.
The attack took place at a cafe inside a shopping mall in the Camiikebir neighbourhood. Police responded quickly and detained the suspect, who had attempted to flee the scene by getting into a taxi. Investigators also uncovered that the offender had previously made threatening social media posts targeting Torreira, according to reports from Haberler.
Torreira's Career and Move to Turkey
Torreira joined Galatasaray from Arsenal in 2022 after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium. He had previously spent loan spells at Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina before securing a permanent move. The midfielder was signed by Arsenal in 2018 under Unai Emery following impressive performances at Sampdoria. His combative style made him an instant hit, and he scored in a memorable 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby. However, he lost his place in the starting lineup after Mikel Arteta replaced Emery as manager.
Torreira's decision to leave Arsenal was driven by a desire for regular playing time ahead of the World Cup. He stated 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. Fernando Muslera was very important for me when making this decision.'
Success at Galatasaray
Since joining the Istanbul club, Torreira has enjoyed significant success, winning the Super Lig title in each of his four seasons with the team. The assault comes as a shock to fans and the football community, who have expressed concern for the player's well-being. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the suspect remains in custody.
