Victor Boniface: Does Bremen’s diet plan imply Super Eagles outcast is fat?

Victor Boniface’s start to life at Werder Bremen has not gone according to script. The Super Eagles striker, who only a few months ago was one of the Bundesliga’s most feared forwards at Bayer Leverkusen, is now struggling to rediscover that form and, according to his new club, his fitness.

Boniface was one of the cornerstones of Xabi Alonso’s title-winning side two seasons ago, scoring 14 goals and providing 8 assists in 23 matches. His explosive power and eye for goal made him one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers. But a mixed second campaign at Leverkusen, followed by a difficult summer transfer window, has seen him lose rhythm and, as it now appears, shape.

Werder Bremen’s sporting director Clemens Fritz confirmed to BILD that Boniface’s early-season struggles are linked to his physical condition, and that the club has essentially placed him on a diet. “We’ve clearly identified the issues together with Victor and are supporting him in every way possible,” Fritz said. “He accepts our support and wants to work on himself, with extra training, physiotherapy, and a modified nutrition plan. We’re working closely with him.”

What should Victor Boniface’s ideal weight be?

The 24-year-old’s most commonly reported playing weight is 91kg. Taking his height of 190cm into account, his Body Mass Index (BMI) stands at 25.2 kg/m², technically placing him just above the “normal” range. However, that figure is based on his last recorded data at Leverkusen; if his form and physical appearance over the past 12 months are any indicators, he may currently be above that mark.

While BMI is not a perfect measure, especially for athletes with higher muscle mass, it offers a useful guide for conditioning. For context, his former Leverkusen teammate Patrik Schick, who stands at the same 190cm, is listed at 87kg and falls within the normal range; Erling Haaland, taller at 195cm, weighs 88kg.

With that comparison, Boniface’s optimal range likely lies between 85kg and 87kg, a balance that would preserve his strength without compromising agility or endurance. Returning to that range, and to the explosive sharpness that made him a Bundesliga standout, could be key to reviving both his form and confidence in Bremen green.