Victor Osimhen: 2 injury risks Galatasaray striker must avoid

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been warned by former Turkiye International Bülent Uygun about keeping his body in top shape.

The 27-year-old recently returned from a right-adductor injury he sustained in Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir last month.

The setback forced him to miss key matches like the UCL fixture against Sporting Lisbon and the derby against Trabzonspor, with both matches ending in losses for Okan Buruk’s men.

Osimhen also missed Nigeria’s opening 2027 AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with the Super Eagles losing one, and now in a catch-up race to seal a qualification spot.

The former Napoli striker made his comeback as a substitute in Galatasaray’s 3-1 win over Kasımpaşa two weeks ago, providing an assist for Mario Lemina.

However, he struggled to make the same impact in the Champions League defeat to Barcelona before featuring against Gençlerbirliği last Saturday.

Speaking to Tivibu Spor, Uygun questioned whether the Nigerian had regained his sharpness after the lay-off. His comments offer two important warnings for Osimhen as he works towards full fitness.

2 risks Victor Osimhen must avoid

1. He must not rush his physical recovery

Uygun’s first concern was the striker’s desire to exert himself physically immediately after returning from injury.

“Osimhen has a certain playing style built around him,” the 55-year-old said in quotes revealed by Haber Sarı Kırmızı.

“His desire to do a lot after his injury, coupled with a lack of coordination in his body, shows that he is still not ready.”

Uygun also pointed to moments when Osimhen struggled to coordinate his footwork while attempting to take advantage of scoring opportunities against Barcelona.

The observation matters because Osimhen’s game relies heavily on explosive movement, physical duels and quick changes of direction. If he has not regained his usual sharpness, trying to reproduce his peak intensity too soon could make it harder to manage his comeback effectively.

Galatasaray’s medical team previously adopted a cautious approach to the striker’s rehabilitation from the adductor problem, with club doctor Yener İnce stressing that the club did not want to risk losing him for an even lengthier spell.

2. He must control his frustration on the pitch

The second warning from the former Sivasspor coach concerned Osimhen’s reaction to mistakes made by his teammates.

The pundit criticised the striker for turning towards fellow players and shouting after errors, even when he had made mistakes himself.

“His tendency to yell at his teammates after numerous mistakes, even his own, shows that he is still not ready,” Uygun said, questioning the striker’s default response.

Osimhen’s intensity and emotional involvement are part of what makes him an influential forward. However, frustration can become counterproductive when a player is still rebuilding rhythm and confidence after an injury.

The Nigerian must remain focused on making the right decisions, rather than allowing missed chances or misplaced passes to affect his concentration.

Osimhen must prioritise a full recovery

Uygun’s assessment is not a medical diagnosis, but it raises questions about whether Osimhen has fully regained his match sharpness.

The striker has already shown that he can contribute after returning, as demonstrated by his assist against Kasımpaşa, but he hasn’t scored since his return.

Still, Galatasaray need to balance his importance to the team with the need to manage his workload carefully.

The downside to managing Osimhen’s minutes is that there’s no other player in the squad who can match the intensity Galatasaray need to produce goals in attack.

Benching him would equal losing points at a crucial point of the season. They’re currently without a point in the UEFA Champions League Group phase and are just two points clear at the top of the Super Lig.