Turkey: Why Osimhen can’t be good captain for Galatasaray – Timurlenk
Osimhen’s Temperament Sparks Debate Over Galatasaray Captaincy
ISTANBUL — Turkish sports analyst Bülent Timurlenk expressed skepticism regarding Victor Osimhen’s suitability for the captaincy of Galatasaray, despite acknowledging the Nigerian striker’s impressive performances.
As the Turkish champions seek to name a new captain for the upcoming season following Mauro Icardi’s departure, Osimhen emerges as a leading candidate. Abdülkerim Bardakcı, a Turkish international center-back, is also in contention, having previously served in a captaincy role for the club.
Manager Okan Buruk recently indicated that Osimhen’s leadership potential could help fill the void left by Icardi. However, Timurlenk highlighted concerns about Osimhen’s emotional responses during matches, which may hinder his effectiveness as a captain.
“Although Osimhen undoubtedly deserves the captaincy, his body language and struggles with anger in interactions with referees, opponents, and occasionally teammates, are significant challenges,” Timurlenk told Sabah. He added that while the coaching staff may wish to honor him with the role, the practical reality is that Bardakcı has established himself as the primary captain for Galatasaray.
On the international front, Osimhen has captained Nigeria’s Super Eagles in two of their last four competitive matches, including recent games against Uganda and Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Osimhen did not participate in Galatasaray’s opening pre-season friendly on Friday, where the team secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Ümraniyespor at Ümraniye City Stadium.
