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Galatasaray’s record-signing of Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, is facing renewed scrutiny over his fitness amid national team duties. The 26-year-old transferred from Napoli to the Turkish club in the summer of 2025 for a reported €75 million.
Osimhen’s season has been significantly affected by injuries. In a recent World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda, he sustained a shin bone edema, necessitating an early substitution. Consequently, he was unavailable for several key Galatasaray fixtures, including league matches against Eyupspor and Konyaspor, as well as a UEFA Europa League encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Afterwards, the forward joined the Nigerian national team for matches against Lesotho and Benin; however, conditions within the national team camp have raised concerns. Reports indicated that he trained on poorly maintained pitches and was transported in poorly equipped vehicles, prompting heightened apprehension among Galatasaray officials regarding his physical condition and long-term health.
Further concern emerged when the aircraft carrying Osimhen and fellow Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi experienced a cracked windscreen shortly after takeoff. Although an emergency landing was executed safely, the incident underscored the potential risks associated with travel and logistics during international duty.
Reports indicate that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has instructed head coach Eric Chelle to keep Osimhen on the field unless he is medically unfit. The directive came after Osimhen was substituted in the 89th minute against Lesotho, prompting criticism from fans and officials. Galatasaray has expressed concern over the NFF’s insistence, emphasizing the need to prioritize the player’s health.
Galatasaray continues to closely monitor Osimhen’s condition and advocates for improved medical and training standards during international duty. While recognizing his importance to Nigeria, the club underscores the necessity of protecting Osimhen from potential injury risks to safeguard his performance and longevity.
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