13.05.2026 18:00
The statement of the attacker who assaulted Galatasaray footballer Lucas Torreira has been revealed. The attacker, describing that he saw a photo of Torreira with his platonic love İpek Birol about a year ago and began harboring hatred towards the footballer from that day on, said, 'I learned from the post that they were at a hotel. So I went to the front of the hotel. As soon as I saw Torreira, I punched him in the face once.'
Galatasaray's Uruguayan footballer Lucas Torreira was attacked with a fist by Yusuf Y. (32), a radiology technician, in Beyoğlu. After the incident, Yusuf Y. attempted to flee but was taken into custody and referred to the courthouse.
ATTACKER'S STATEMENT REVEALED
The suspect stated in his testimony at the courthouse, "I had platonic feelings for İpek B. Since İpek B. was uncomfortable with me, she had previously obtained a restraining order against me. Because I saw photos of İpek B. with footballer Lucas Torreira together on Instagram about a year ago, I began to harbor hatred towards Torreira."
FIST ATTACK ON TORREIRA
The incident occurred yesterday around 18:45 in a cafeteria inside a shopping mall located in Camiikebir Mahallesi. According to the information obtained, while Galatasaray's Uruguayan footballer Lucas Torreira was at the Padel court, Yusuf Y. approached him. Allegedly, Y. punched Torreira on the nose at the top of the stairs, attempting to strike him.
CAUGHT IN A TAXI
Upon the report, police teams were dispatched to the scene. It was determined that Yusuf Y., who tried to flee after the incident, had boarded a taxi. The suspect was caught in the taxi by the Beyoğlu District Police teams while trying to leave the mall and was taken into custody. It was learned that Yusuf Y. had one prior criminal record for 'intentional injury.' After processing at the police station, the suspect was referred to the courthouse and then to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest.
''HE WAS INTERESTED IN MY GIRLFRIEND''
It was learned that Yusuf Y., who was taken into custody, stated in his testimony that İpek B., with whom he was in contact via social media, was also being pursued by Lucas Torreira, and due to this, he followed the footballer on social media and went to the scene.
''I BEGAN TO HARBOR HATRED TOWARDS TORREIRA''
Yusuf Y.'s statement at the courthouse emerged. Yusuf Y. said, "I had platonic feelings for a person I knew as a photographer, İpek B. Because İpek B. was uncomfortable with me, she had previously obtained a restraining order against me. I never violated this restraining order. However, because I saw photos of İpek B. with footballer Lucas Torreira together on Instagram about a year ago, I began to harbor hatred towards Torreira. The Twitter account you asked about belongs to me. I also wrote the tweets posted about Torreira on this account. The reason for writing was my hatred towards Torreira. After I learned yesterday from Torreira's and his family's Instagram posts where they were, I went to the address in a taxi whose license plate I don't remember, with the intent to harm Torreira in a moment of anger. As soon as I saw Torreira, I punched him once in the face."
''İPEK IS MY GIRLFRIEND''
It was learned that Lucas Torreira stated in his police testimony that İpek B. is his girlfriend, that he had previously obtained a 45-day restraining order against Yusuf Y. from the prosecutor's office, and that he filed a complaint against the suspect after the incident.
DRIVER ALSO PUNCHED THE SUSPECT
In the police investigation, it was determined that after Torreira was struck, his driver Eray S. (39) punched Yusuf Y. in an attempt to separate the parties. During Torreira's medical examination, redness was found between his left eyebrow and eye. The investigation into the incident continues.
NEW FOOTAGE OF THE ATTACK
The moments of struggle immediately after Yusuf Y. attacked footballer Lucas Torreira, a staff member intervening, and the suspect fleeing were recorded by bystanders with their mobile phones. Meanwhile, it was observed that Yusuf Y. was waiting slightly behind Torreira while he was taking a photo with a fan at the mall.