The Super Eagles striker opens up about the match, his decision to reject Manchester United, and his goals for the season.

Victor Osimhen once again demonstrated his importance to Galatasaray, converting a crucial second-half penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against Atakaş Hatayspor in the Turkish Super Lig. Despite the Lions’ unbeaten run, the Nigerian forward admitted that the team’s performance in the first half was below par, but praised their resilience after halftime.

“There was a bit of a lack of intensity in the first half,” Osimhen said, reflecting on the game. “We let the opponent play a bit. Then, with the speech of our coach, we started the second half very well. We also increased the intensity. We focused a lot on our game.”

The former Napoli star, who joined Galatasaray in the summer, has quickly become a fan favorite. His commitment to the team has been unwavering, even in the face of a tempting January offer from Manchester United.

Rejecting Manchester United to Stay at Galatasaray

Osimhen’s loan deal includes a clause allowing him to move to specific clubs during the January transfer window, but he turned down the opportunity to join the English giants.

“When I came to the team, my friends welcomed me very well,” Osimhen explained. “They helped me in every way. My coach was always with me. He showed me confidence. My teammates showed the same. Thanks to this, it was easy to adapt.

“I am focused on the team right now. We have certain goals for the season. We are taking firm steps towards these goals. We continue to fight. I believe we will achieve great things.”

Osimhen’s decision to remain in Istanbul is a testament to his loyalty and belief in Galatasaray’s potential this season. The Lions are chasing a treble, with a commanding nine-point lead in the league, progression in the Europa League, and a strong campaign in the Turkish Cup.

“Fatigue Is Not an Excuse”

Despite Galatasaray’s grueling schedule of 29 matches across all competitions, Osimhen brushed off suggestions of fatigue after the Hatayspor game.

“I don’t think there is fatigue in the team,” he said. “This is our job. It’s not just the 11 players. The guys on the bench are always ready. I’m always ready and I always want to play for my team. We’ll look at this game and see our mistakes. We’ll learn from them and try to do better.”

Osimhen’s form this season has been exceptional, with 11 goals in 14 league appearances. Remarkably, he has scored double digits in goals for seven consecutive seasons across stints in Turkey, Italy, France, and Belgium.

A Leader with Ambition

Victor Osimhen remains focused on achieving greatness with Galatasaray, showing a blend of humility and determination that has endeared him to fans. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial as the team battles on multiple fronts.

For Galatasaray supporters, his decision to stay is a boost to their title ambitions and a signal of Osimhen’s trust in the project.