Nigeria star Victor Osimhen turns down Galatasaray captaincy gesture in Rennes draw

Victor Osimhen sparked attention during Galatasaray’s 3-3 pre-season draw against Rennes after turning down the opportunity to captain the Turkish giants despite being handed the armband on the pitch.

The Nigeria forward was offered the captain’s responsibility during Sunday’s friendly at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park following the departure of first-choice captain Abdülkerim Bardakcı, but Osimhen chose not to wear it and instead passed the honour to teammate Yunus Akgün.

The moment came in the second half after Bardakcı was substituted in the 74th minute. As he made his way off the field, the defender removed the captain’s armband and handed it to Osimhen, appearing to signal his desire for the striker to lead the team for the remainder of the match.

However, Osimhen declined the gesture and immediately handed the armband to Akgün. The Turkish midfielder appeared surprised by the decision and attempted to convince the former African Footballer of the Year to accept the responsibility, but Osimhen remained firm in his choice.

Osimhen delivers on the pitch before captaincy moment

The incident came on a positive evening for Osimhen, who continued his impressive form in Galatasaray colours by scoring the opening goal against Rennes.

The striker made his presence felt early in the contest, rising above defenders to power a header into the net after Gabriel Sara delivered a dangerous corner into the penalty area.

His goal underlined why Galatasaray are eager to build their attack around him following his permanent move to the club, with the Nigerian expected to play a central role in their ambitions for the upcoming campaign.

The friendly eventually ended in a six-goal thriller, with both teams showing attacking quality as they prepare for the new season.

While Osimhen’s goal was the highlight of his performance, his decision regarding the captain’s armband quickly became one of the biggest talking points from the match.

Buruk had planned leadership role for Nigerian star

Osimhen’s refusal comes despite Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk previously indicating that the striker could become part of the club’s leadership group this season.

Following Mauro Icardi’s departure, Buruk revealed that he wanted Osimhen to take on greater responsibility within the squad and suggested that the Nigerian could be among the club’s captains.

The Turkish champions are undergoing a leadership transition, and Osimhen’s status as one of the team’s most influential players has placed him among the candidates to take on a bigger role.

However, Sunday’s incident showed the striker’s preference to avoid the spotlight of official captaincy, at least for now, as he opted to allow another teammate to wear the armband.

Osimhen has previously demonstrated leadership through his performances and influence rather than through formal titles. His decision could be interpreted as a sign of respect for existing leaders within the squad and his willingness to allow other players to represent the team.