Fenerbahçe winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu was rushed to hospital on Saturday, August 22, 2026, after a violent collision left him unconscious on the pitch during a Süper Lig match against Konyaspor.
The Turkey international, who started the game for Fenerbahçe, had to be substituted after clashing heads with an opponent in the second half.
How the collision happened
The incident occurred in the 51st minute at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul, with the home side already leading 4-1. Aktürkoğlu, who has 54 caps and 15 goals for Turkey, was contesting an aerial ball near the touchline with fellow Turkish international Uğurcan Yazğılı, a Konyaspor defender.
Yazğılı, who at 1.84 metres is taller than the 1.72-metre Aktürkoğlu, accidentally struck his opponent in the temple. Aktürkoğlu collapsed on the field, knocked out by the impact. Teammates shielded him before he was carried off on a stretcher three minutes later.
Coach gives update after the match
Fenerbahçe went on to win the match 4-2, but Aktürkoğlu's condition dominated post-match discussion. Fenerbahçe coach İsmail Kartal told a press conference that he wished Kerem a speedy recovery, adding that he was conscious and his condition was stable. Kartal said that because of concussion protocol, Aktürkoğlu could be unavailable for 10 to 15 days.
Club officials visit hospital
Later that night, Fenerbahçe announced that club president Aziz Yıldırım, sporting director Oğuz Çetin and several board members had visited the former Galatasaray and Benfica player at his bedside.
The club said in a statement that the player's general health was good and that initial examinations had revealed no abnormalities. It said Aktürkoğlu would spend the night in hospital as a precaution and for monitoring, with a CT scan scheduled for the following morning for further checks. Treatment would begin once the results of that scan were known, the club added.
Fenerbahçe face Lyon on Wednesday, August 26, at 9 p.m. in the second leg of their Champions League play-off round, and Aktürkoğlu's availability for that match is now heavily in doubt.
