Galatasaray midfielder Lucas Torreira was targeted by an individual who had made threatening post against him as the ex-Arsenal star punched outside a cafe, with a man taken into custody
Lucas Torreira was the subject of an alleged targeted assault
Lucas Torreira was the subject of an alleged targeted assault
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Galatasaray midfielder Lucas Torreira was punched outside a cafe in the Beyoglu district, with a man taken into custody, police have said.
The ex-Arsenal star, who has been playing in Turkey since 2022, was the subject of an attack that left him with grazes around his left eye. Torreira has filed a formal complaint against the suspect and is pressing charges.
It has been uncovered that the offender had a prior criminal record. Authorities also discovered that a restraining order was already in place against the suspect at the time of the assault.
The incident occurred at a cafe situated inside a shopping mall in the Camiikebir neighbourhood. Police responded and detained the suspect, who had attempted to get in a taxi so that he could flee the scene.
As part of the investigation, it was revealed that the offender had previously made threatening posts targeting Lucas Torreira, reports Haberler.
Torreira moved to the Turkish side, where he has won the SuperLig title in each of the four years he's been at the club, from Arsenal. The Uruguayan had fallen down the pecking order in north London and, after a loan spells at Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina, secured a permanent exit.
The midfielder was signed in 2018 by Unai Emery after impressing at Sampdoria. His combative style did make him a hit initially and he scored in a famous 4-2 win over Tottenham in the north London derby. However he fell out of favour when Emery was replaced by Mikel Arteta.
Lucas Torreira spent two years at Arsenal
Lucas Torreira spent two years at Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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Torreira's push to leave was motivated by a desire to play for his country and the upcoming World Cup. He said 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."
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