Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk compared 21-year-old Russian midfielder Aleksei Batrakov to Barcelona star Pedri following the team’s recent Turkish Süper Lig victory, Sport Mail reported. Batrakov delivered an assist in Galatasaray’s 3-1 win over Kasımpaşa on October 9, 2026, anchoring a stretch of strong performances that has drawn widespread praise across Turkish football.
The performance arrived as Galatasaray prepared to host Barcelona at Rams Park in Istanbul for the second matchday of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase on October 13, 2026. Batrakov signed a five-year contract with the Turkish giants in late August 2026 after moving from Lokomotiv Moscow, a transfer that drew heavy attention from Russian and European outlets alike, according to Sportbox.
Rapid Adaptation Following the Russian Premier League Exit
While early skeptics questioned how quickly the midfielder would adjust to the physical demands of the Turkish Süper Lig after recording just one assist in his first five appearances, Sportbox noted that his work rate remained unquestioned. Valery Filatov told Рейтинг Букмекеров that Batrakov has fully integrated into the squad, adding that the Süper Lig matches or exceeds the player-for-player depth of the Russian Premier League. The transfer of the Lokomotiv Moscow leader to Galatasaray generated emotions comparable to Matvey Safonov’s move to PSG, with supporters initially expecting more before he left for international duty with the Russian national team and returned to shine.
Aleksei Batrakov, transferi sonrası Okan Buruk’un kafasındaki 11… pic.twitter.com/9TNwhaB6XA
Against Kasımpaşa, Batrakov completed several successful dribbles, won more than half of his duels, and recorded a decisive assist. InoProSport highlighted fan commentary noting that the midfielder relies on crisp, one-touch passing rather than over-dribbling, maintaining a quick tempo that avoids stalling attacking sequences. Supporters also observed that he avoids holding the ball unnecessarily, keeps attacks moving with clean footwork, and needs only to build up his physical strength.
High Praise From Teammates And Tactical Comparisons
Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen offered a glowing assessment of the newcomer’s vision during an appearance on Match TV’s Vse na Match program, as reported by Sportbox. Osimhen stated that Batrakov reads the game before the ball even reaches him, recalling that the Russian midfielder dominated his very first training session to the astonishment of his new teammates. Osimhen also noted that the midfielder plays with a fighting spirit that he appreciates.
Turkish supporters and media have drawn ambitious comparisons, likening Batrakov’s tactical intelligence to Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, and Vitinha, with some pundits suggesting future valuations could reach €100 million.
Upcoming Champions League Test Against Barcelona
Ahead of the fixture against Barcelona, Batrakov trained fully with the Galatasaray squad in Istanbul. Barcelona manager Hans-Dieter Flick acknowledged the young midfielder’s recent form during his pre-match press conference, stating that while he had not watched extensive footage of Batrakov prior to the Kasımpaşa match, he was impressed by the Russian’s performance in that fixture, InoProSport reported.
