Former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is pursuing legal action in Turkey after being attacked at a shopping centre by a man allegedly motivated by jealousy over Torreira's romantic relationship.
Incident Details
The 30-year-old Uruguayan, who joined Turkish giants Galatasaray from Arsenal in 2022, was assaulted outside a cafe in Istanbul's Beyoglu district on Tuesday. Torreira had been taking photographs with fans when the suspect unexpectedly approached him.
According to reports, the assailant had been waiting outside the shopping centre for Torreira, suggesting a premeditated attack. Torreira told police that his friend and driver intervened, with the driver punching the man to separate them.
Footage published by Turkish media showed the suspect being kicked while on the ground before attempting to flee the scene.
Torreira's Statement
In a statement to police, Torreira said: "A man came up to me and said he wanted to take a picture with me. After taking a picture with him, I saw another man approaching, and I thought he also wanted to take a picture. After he got close, he suddenly punched me in the left side of my head. I didn't understand what was happening."
He added: "I tried to defend myself, and my driver and my friend, who were there at the time, came to my aid to protect me and remove the individual from the scene. After separating us, the person got into a taxi and tried to drive away. I did not physically assault this person in any way."
Torreira stated he had never seen the suspect before and did not know the motive behind the attack. He went to hospital for a check-up, where doctors found redness between his left eyebrow and eye. He is filing a complaint and pressing charges.
Suspect's Background
The suspect, identified only as YY by police, was reportedly already subject to a restraining order for harassing Torreira's girlfriend and had a previous conviction for causing intentional injury. He is also said to have made threats against Torreira on social media, allegedly driven by jealousy over the footballer's relationship.
Both the suspect and Torreira's driver were detained, and an investigation has been launched. The suspect was expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
Torreira's Career
Torreira has been a key player for Galatasaray, helping the club win four league titles since his arrival from Arsenal. He has also won the Turkish Cup and the Turkish Super Cup with the Istanbul-based side.
