Osimhen hits back at critics

Politics Spice Special Features Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Advertise with us Osimhen hits back at critics Sports October 23, 2026 12:04 am File: Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen has hit back at his critics after ending his goal drought in the UEFA Champions League, insisting that he comes from a place where challenges do not scare him and that he is one of the best strikers in the world.

The Galatasaray striker scored in the 4-2 away win over Lille on Wednesday, October 21. The 27-year-old had faced weeks of criticism from Turkish media and pundits over his form and attitude since returning from a groin injury.

He was accused of poor coordination and frustration with teammates during a three-match goalless run against Kasımpaşa, Barcelona and Gençlerbirliği. Speaking after the game, Osimhen said such spells are normal for top players.

“No, I think most of the time it always happens like this. Not just me; so many players,” he said.

“I mean, I just try to do my best. Most of the time the game doesn’t go how I want, not just for me but for the team. But this doesn’t mean I’m nervous.”

The Super Eagles star said nobody can dictate how he plays.

“I came from a place where I’m not scared of challenges. I face any team as I want to face them. And I play my ball as I know how to do.

“Nobody can tell me how to make these runs, how to play my ball, how to score my goals. I mean, this is the kind of thing that I do. It’s the reason why I’m here; it’s the reason why I’m one of the very best strikers in the world,” he added.

He said the talk does not affect him, and that those linking him to it do not know him. He also stressed that the team comes first.

“No, the club is bigger than any player. This is about a team, the collective effort of the team. I have too many things to actually worry about, not these types of talks,” he said.

Galatasaray fell behind to a Soriba Diaoune brace at the Decathlon Arena, where Osimhen starred for Lille in the 2019/20 season. Yunus Akgün and Aleksey Batrakov levelled the score before Nabil Bentaleb put it through his own net to hand the visitors the lead. Osimhen sealed the win in the 61st minute with a swift counter-attack.

The goal took his European tally for Galatasaray to 14, extending his record as the club’s highest-scoring foreign player in European cup history. He did not celebrate against his former club and was given a standing ovation by Lille fans when he was substituted in the 85th minute.

The performance came after a testing week away from football. His pregnant partner was involved in a car accident on October 13, and their daughter underwent surgery for a broken foot. Osimhen still played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Gençlerbirliği on October 17.

Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük said the decision was a sacrifice.

“I had said about Osimhen in the Gençlerbirliği match, ‘Even going there was a sacrifice.’ Osimhen’s wife had been in an accident, and his daughter was injured. Despite this, Osimhen did not leave the team alone in the Gençlerbirliği match,” he said.

Galatasaray now face Fenerbahçe in a Süper Lig clash this weekend.

Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories

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