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Super Eagles icon Victor Osimhen's future is up in the air again, but will the Nigerian star choose loyalty over career advancement again?
Victor Osimhen’s remarkable form at Galatasaray has reignited interest from top European clubs like PSG and Manchester United.
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However, his loyalty to his new side could see him opting to stay in Turkey to see out his loan spell. With his experience at Napoli and Mauro Icardi’s situation in Turkey the potential risks of misplaced loyalty could define the trajectory of his career once again.
Mauro Icardi serves as a stark warning to Osimhen
Argentine forward Icardi has been a central figure for Galatasaray over the past two years, since joining from PSG, netting 61 goals in 87 appearances and leading the club to two Super Lig titles and a Turkish Super Cup triumph.
He has won several individual accolades, including the 2024 Süper Lig Golden Boot with 25 goals in 34 games.
Yet, despite his heroics, Galatasaray appears ready to part ways with the Argentine striker following a season-ending injury and off-field controversies related to his divorce from Wanda Nara.
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Galatasaray’s treatment of their star man is a stark reminder of the ruthless nature of football clubs, where even the most loyal and productive players can find themselves discarded when their value diminishes.
For Osimhen, who has quickly become a fan favourite at Galatasaray with 12 goals and five assists in 15 games, Icardi’s treatment should serve as a cautionary tale about relying too heavily on the goodwill of a club or its supporters.
Osimhen’s Napoli hell
Osimhen’s experience at Napoli is another chapter in the cautionary tale of misplaced loyalty.
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After leading the club to their first Scudetto in 33 years, winning the Serie A Golden Boot with 26 goals in 32 matches, and signing a contract extension to secure Napoli’s financial leverage in potential transfers, Osimhen became the darling of Naples. However, just a year later, he found himself ostracised.
A public fallout with Napoli’s social media team and a lacklustre, injury-marred 2023/24 season soured the relationship.
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Under Antonio Conte, Osimhen was frozen out, unregistered for the Serie A campaign, and marked for sale.
Despite significant interest from PSG, Chelsea, and Saudi club Al Ahly, Napoli’s exorbitant €120m valuation stalled negotiations, leaving Osimhen in limbo until Galatasaray provided a lifeline.
Osimhen at a crossroads again
The Super Eagles star now faces another pivotal decision. Galatasaray fans have embraced him wholeheartedly, and the forward appears enamoured with the support he’s received.
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Yet, lingering too long in Istanbul could prove detrimental to his career if the club’s loyalty fades as it did with Icardi.
Offers from PSG and Manchester United present a chance to return to the European elite, and given that few players receive a second opportunity to join such storied clubs after enduring the setbacks Osimhen has faced, he must carefully consider the pros and cons of doing all he can to secure a move away from Galatasaray.
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While leaving Galatasaray may feel like a betrayal of the fans’ love, Osimhen would do well to prioritise his own career trajectory. Top clubs don’t come knocking forever, and the interest from PSG and Manchester United shows that his talent is still highly regarded for now.
Osimhen’s experience at Napoli and the treatment of Icardi at Galatasaray should serve as guiding examples. The Nigerian forward has a chance to avoid repeating past mistakes by choosing ambition over sentimentality.
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His performances in Turkey have opened a door to redemption at the highest levels of European football—a door he must walk through while it remains open.
In football, loyalty can be a double-edged sword. For Osimhen, the lesson is clear: trust in his talent, seize opportunities, and always look out for himself, because when the tide turns, clubs rarely return the favour.
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