Galatasaray Coach Admits Worry Over Osimhen’s Travels to Nigeria After Injury Scare

Galatasaray’s head coach, Okan Buruk, has confessed to feeling anxious whenever star striker Victor Osimhen travels to represent Nigeria, a sentiment that grew more acute following the player’s recent ankle injury.

Buruk made the remarks in the aftermath of Nigeria’s 1–0 World Cup qualifying win over Rwanda, during which Osimhen was substituted early due to foot pain. “If there is a problem with Osimhen, we want to send a plane immediately and bring him back to Türkiye,” the coach told Now Spor, as reported by Daily Post. “I always have fears about sending him to the national team, but tonight we experienced a bit of that.”

Osimhen, 26, left the pitch in the first half of the match played in Uyo and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers. The exact extent of the injury remains unclear, but Buruk indicated that transport to Istanbul would be arranged if his condition warranted quick treatment.

This is not the first time Buruk has voiced his admiration for Osimhen. In December 2024, he stated that he believed the striker would remain with Galatasaray until the end of the season and expressed a desire to make his stay permanent. “I would like Osimhen’s transfer to be acquired permanently,” he said. “He wants to be with us.” More recently, Buruk confirmed that Galatasaray is close to finalising the striker’s permanent transfer after a stellar loan spell last season.

Osimhen’s form with Galatasaray was exceptional during his loan tenure. He scored 37 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in securing Galatasaray’s 25th Super Lig title. The club later paid a record-breaking €75 million to sign him permanently—making him the most expensive signing in Turkish football history. His new contract, which begins in the 2025–26 season, reportedly includes a €15 million net salary per year, supplemented by image rights and loyalty bonuses.

Buruk’s admission of concern underscores the delicate balance coaches face when managing players involved in international duty. For both club and country, Osimhen’s health and availability remain central to success on and off the pitch.