VfB Stuttgart Captain Atakan Karazor Faces Injury Setback in Istanbul

VfB Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor was forced to leave the field early during his team's recent Champions League encounter against Galatasaray in Istanbul. The defensive midfielder, who has become a central figure for the Bundesliga side, sustained an injury shortly after receiving a yellow card in the opening minute of the match at RAMS Park.

The match proved to be a difficult outing for Stuttgart, who struggled to contain Galatasaray's early offensive pressure. Following Karazor's departure, the team was replaced by youngster Yanik Spalt. Despite a spirited second-half performance and a disallowed goal from Deniz Undav, Stuttgart ultimately fell 2-0 to the Turkish hosts, who secured their victory through a brace from Aleksey Batrakov.

Born in Essen, Germany, to Turkish parents, Karazor has established himself as a prominent defensive presence in professional football. His career began in the youth ranks of local clubs before he transitioned to Borussia Dortmund II. He later spent two seasons with Holstein Kiel in the 2. Bundesliga, where he developed his reputation as a reliable midfielder before his 2019 transfer to Stuttgart.

Since joining Stuttgart, Karazor has been a vital component of the squad, helping the team achieve promotion to the Bundesliga in 2020. His leadership qualities were formally recognized in August 2024 when he was appointed club captain. His commitment to the team was further solidified in June 2024, when he signed a contract extension keeping him with the club through June 2028.

Internationally, Karazor holds dual citizenship and opted to represent the Turkish national team. He received his first call-up in March 2025 and made his international debut in November 2025 during a 2-0 victory against Bulgaria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This transition to international football marked a significant milestone in his professional career.

Off the pitch, Karazor has navigated various challenges, including a high-profile legal situation in 2022. While on vacation in Ibiza, Spain, the player was taken into custody amid sexual assault allegations. He was released on a 50,000-euro bail in July 2022 and permitted to leave the country. Throughout the investigation, the VfB Stuttgart organization maintained its support for the player, citing the principle of the presumption of innocence.

As Stuttgart looks ahead, the team must now manage the immediate impact of Karazor's injury. The club is scheduled to face Bremen in their next domestic league fixture, with a critical Champions League match against Inter Milan approaching on November 25. The medical staff will likely provide further updates on his recovery timeline in the coming days.