Osimhen: Galatasaray Fans Give Me the Fire to Fight for the Badge
Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has explained why he gives his all whenever he steps onto the pitch for the Turkish champions.
Speaking ahead of Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League clash against Ajax, Osimhen said his passion and energy come from the incredible love and support he received from the fans when he arrived in Istanbul.
“I arrived in Istanbul, and I have never seen anything like that in my life,” Osimhen said. “It was unbelievable — thousands of fans waiting at the airport, even at two or three o’clock in the morning. Many of them are fathers, husbands, and wives who should have been home resting, but they were there for one person.”
The 2023 CAF Player of the Year said that moment left a deep mark on him and drives him to give his all for Galatasaray.
“After seeing that, you just have that fire in you to make sure every run, every drop of sweat is for the badge,” he said. “I absolutely love this club, and I’m ready to go through everything with them — the good, the bad, and the ugly, though I hope there’s more good than bad.”
Osimhen joined Galatasaray permanently this season after a record €75 million transfer from Napoli, following an impressive loan spell in which he scored 37 goals and helped the club win the Turkish league and cup double.
Now, the Nigerian forward says his goal is to make an impact in Europe.
“We’ve dominated the league for years, but now it’s time to make a statement in the Champions League,” he said. “We want the world to know Galatasaray because of what we achieve in Europe.”
Osimhen, who has already broken the club’s record for most consecutive goals in European competitions, remains determined to repay the faith of the Galatasaray faithful — one goal at a time.
