Victor Osimhen Fitness Debate As Galatasaray Striker Eyes Liverpool Clash

Victor Osimhen’s fitness saga has dominated headlines in Turkey, with questions still lingering about his readiness to return to full action.

Turkish football analyst Serdar Ali Celikler has suggested that Osimhen’s delayed comeback from injury was less about physical limitations and more about perception. According to Celikler, the striker didn’t want to risk being seen as a “traitor” by Nigerians after sustaining an injury on international duty.

Osimhen picked up the knock during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, forcing him to miss the subsequent clash with South Africa—a game that ended in a costly draw for the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes.

The former Napoli forward finally made a brief return last Friday, featuring for the final 10 minutes against Antalyaspor. Yet Celikler believes Osimhen could have been back sooner. “There is no problem with money or salary for Osimhen,” Celikler explained via GsGazette. “He is not risking himself because he returned injured from the Nigerian national team. He didn’t want to be called a traitor in his country if he played immediately after his return. He is already in the squad for the Alanyaspor match. There is no problem at all.”

For Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk, the focus is on ensuring Osimhen’s fitness at the right time. The coach confirmed that the Nigerian striker has been training well and could feature in the Champions League against Liverpool if he passes a late fitness test.

With European nights beckoning, all eyes will be on whether Osimhen can put the doubts behind him and deliver the kind of performance that made him one of the most feared strikers in world football.