Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has heaped praise on Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen following Galatasaray’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Spanish side in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The match marked a notable return for Osimhen, who played the full 90 minutes just days after limping off during Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 semi-final against Morocco and subsequently missing the third-place playoff against Egypt.
Despite not scoring, the former Napoli star impact was outstanding. The Nigerian forward consistently tested Atletico’s defence with his electric pace, physicality, and intelligent movement, keeping the home side on constant alert.
Galatasaray initially took the lead through a strike from Giuliano Simeone, but Marcos Llorente’s own goal, following a precise cut-back from Roland Sallai, brought Atletico back on level terms.
After the game, Diego Simeone did not hesitate to acknowledge the forward’s influence. “Osimhen is very strong… very fast and very important for his team,” he said, highlighting the threat Osimhen posed despite not scoring.
The Nigerian striker, in turn, expressed admiration for the Atletico manager and the team’s style of play. “I love Diego Simeone… They play aggressively and have a clear identity,” Osimhen said. He added that the result underlines Galatasaray’s progress, noting that drawing with a club of Atletico’s calibre shows his side are “on the right track.”
The performance is likely to boost Osimhen’s confidence, demonstrating that he can return to top form after his recent injury struggles while continuing to be a pivotal figure for Galatasaray in both domestic and European competitions.
