Unfit Osimhen to miss Galatasaray’s Super Lig opener
By Tosin Omojola –
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen will watch Galatasaray’s opening fixture of the 2025/26 season from the stands, having been declared unfit.
The Turkish giants will begin their new campaign against Gaziantep without their top striker, who is sidelined due to match rustiness.
The Nigerian international has yet to regain full fitness after returning late for pre-season training, following a protracted transfer saga between his former club, Napoli, and Turkish champions Galatasaray.
After leaving the Italian side to sign a new deal with Galatasaray, the former African Player of the Year received a heroes’ welcome from fans during his presentation at Rams Park before a friendly against Lazio.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup winner had attracted interest from several top European clubs before eventually opting for Galatasaray, whom he joined on loan from Napoli.
His previous loan spell with the Super Lig side was highly successful, earning him a special place in the hearts of Galatasaray fans.
Osimhen scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for the club, setting the record as the highest-scoring foreign player in a single season in Turkey.
