AFCON 2025
Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has dismissed suggestions that he has been tense or nervous on the pitch this season, insisting that criticism of his body language does not affect him.
The 27-year-old addressed the issue after Galatasaray’s Champions League clash with Lille, explaining that frustration during matches does not necessarily indicate nervousness.
“No, no, no, no. Most of the time it always happens like this, not just me, so many players,” Osimhen said. “I just try to do my best most of the time. The game doesn’t go how I want not just for me but for the team. But this doesn’t mean I’m nervous.”
The Nigerian forward also expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that his background has prepared him to face challenges without fear.
“I came from a place where I’m not scared of challenges. I face any team as I want to face them and I play my ball as I know how to do it. Nobody can tell me how to make these runs, how to play my ball, how to score my goals,” he said.
“This is the kind of thing that I do. It’s the reason why I’m here. It’s the reason why I’m one of the very best strikers in the world.”
Osimhen further played down the criticism, suggesting that those questioning his demeanour do not fully understand his personality.
“For me, these things don’t even get to me. The people that try to attach me into this conversation, they actually don’t really know me because I care less about many of these talks. It doesn’t even move me,” he added.
The former Napoli striker stressed that his priority remains helping Galatasaray achieve their objectives, rather than responding to discussions about his individual performances or body language.
“I’m focusing on doing my job, trying to help the team. If the game goes my way, if it goes the team way, so be it. If it doesn’t, we keep it moving, we keep on working,” Osimhen said.
“The club is bigger than any player. This is about the team, the collective effort of the team.”
Osimhen’s comments come amid scrutiny of his on-field reactions, with some observers interpreting his demeanour during recent matches as a sign of frustration or pressure.
However, the Super Eagles forward has rejected that interpretation, maintaining that his focus is on performing for the team as Galatasaray continue their Champions League and domestic campaigns.
