Galatasary star who suffered frightening thumb injury opens up on grim bathroom reality

Noa Lang has opened up on his recovery after suffering a horrific thumb injury against Liverpool, with the Galatasaray forward having come close to losing his thumb

Noa Lang has spoken for the first time after suffering a horrific thumb injury against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Noa Lang has spoken publicly for the first time since his horrific thumb injury while playing for Galatasaray against Liverpool.

The 26-year-old had to be stretchered off and given oxygen after he caught his thumb in the advertising hoardings at Anfield during his side’s 4-0 defeat last week. Lang had to undergo surgery at Whiston Hospital before returning to Turkey, having looked to have been in agony during the incident.

Galatasaray has now given more details about his injury, explaining that while Lang avoided having the thumb amputated, the issue was severe enough for an urgent operation to be needed, with the club having also lodged a formal complaint to UEFA as it considers legal action.

Despite the severity of the injury, Lang has been pictured back in training this week, having joined up with the Netherlands’ squad for the international break.

The forward is not expected to play in his country’s first game against Norway on Friday (March 27), but could be back in contention against Ecuador next Tuesday (March 31), having opened up on his injury and the everyday problems he now faces during his recovery.

“I still have my thumb, it's still attached, and according to the doctor, it's going to survive,” Lang told Ziggo Sport.

“My thumb got caught on a very sharp fence behind the advertising board. There was a very deep cut in it. That was no fun. Nor was seeing that on your own thumb.

Noa Lang received oxygen and had to be stretchered off after injuring his thumb(Image: Getty Images)

“I was well taken care of, the operations went well too, but I am still suffering from it.

“It's also not convenient for very normal things: I'm right-handed, so that's not ideal in the toilet.

“No, playing PlayStation isn't really possible either, but luckily you play football with your feet. Besides, I get good help with everything.”

Lang suffered the injury during the second half of Galatasaray’s defeat to Liverpool, which sent the Turkish club out of the Champions League. The attacker had only come on as a half-time substitute to replace Victor Osimhen, who had suffered an injury to his arm earlier in the game.

Providing an update, Galatasaray club doctor Yener Ince said: "Our player Noa Lang has suffered a serious injury to the first finger of his right hand. I want to clarify that there is no complete amputation; however, the injury is significant. Because this area needed urgent repair, he underwent a successful operation in Liverpool as quickly as possible, without being brought to Istanbul.

"Currently, there appear to be no problems, but the Galatasaray medical team is monitoring him. We are in close contact with the Dutch national team's medical staff, with whom we have had good communication for a long time.

"Lang will not play in the first match for the Dutch national team, and after further assessments, if conditions allow, we plan for him to return to the field in the second match. We aim for Noa Lang to return to the pitch as soon as possible with a special training program."