Victor Osimhen has finally broken his silence over the viral #StayWithUsOsimhen campaign launched by Galatasaray fans, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support but remaining non-committal about his future at the Turkish giants.
The Nigerian striker, on loan from Napoli, has been at the centre of a social media frenzy after scoring twice in Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final.
The win secured the Istanbul club’s record 19th cup title and cemented Osimhen’s place as a fan favourite. With 35 goals to his name this season, he also set a new club record for most goals scored by a foreign player.
In his first public comments since the campaign began, Osimhen acknowledged the outpouring of affection from the Galatasaray faithful, who have flooded social media with messages pleading for him to stay beyond the current season.
“I really can’t stand the fans,” Osimhen said with a smile, referring to the intensity of their support. “I have to make a big decision at the end of the season. I want to thank everyone for what I’ve experienced during this process.”
The 26-year-old Super Eagles striker has drawn attention from several European clubs, particularly in England and Italy. However, his high salary and the complexities surrounding a permanent transfer make the decision a challenging one for all parties involved.
Despite remaining tight-lipped about his future, Osimhen made it clear that he has been moved by his time in Istanbul.
“I try to help with my goals, my assists, by doing everything I can on the field. And when I help the team, it makes me very happy,” he said. “We can say that we have done 99% of the job. Let’s see, in our last match, we want to fight and complete it as well.”
Osimhen was referring to Galatasaray’s crucial final league fixture against Kayserispor, a match that could secure the club’s 25th Super Lig title and complete a domestic double — their first since the 1998/99 season.
He praised the collective effort of the team throughout the season, distancing himself from any notion of individual heroics.
“I don’t think that I win the matches myself, that I bring the victories. We achieve this as a team with my teammates,” Osimhen noted. “Big congratulations to the team. When I came, what they made me feel directly was that our goals were clear.”
He lauded Galatasaray’s winning culture, highlighting the club’s hunger for more silverware. “Galatasaray is a team that has a lot of cups, and at the same time, a team that wants even more.”
With one more crucial game left this season, all eyes will be on Osimhen not just for his impact on the pitch, but also for any hint about his next move.
“On Sunday, we will fight for every ball, we will put up an incredible fight,” he vowed.
For now, Galatasaray fans can only hope that their beloved striker chooses to make Istanbul his long-term home.
