A prominent Turkish sports doctor and former referee, Ahmet Çakar, has alleged that Galatasaray officials are aware of a serious medical condition that could trouble Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for the rest of his life.
Speaking on Beyaz TV’s Derin Futbol programme, Çakar claimed to have received confidential information from the Turkish Ministry of Health concerning the Super Eagles star’s health. While he declined to reveal the nature of the illness, he suggested it was significant enough to warrant official concern.
“I received information from the Ministry of Health regarding Victor Osimhen’s illness,” Çakar said. “As a sportsman and a father of two, I don’t want to discuss the details, but the condition will likely affect him for life.”
The 63-year-old doctor added that he had spoken with Galatasaray’s club physician, Dr. Yener İnce, who dismissed the report as “incorrect.” However, Çakar insisted that the club and the ministry were fully aware of the situation and hinted he might release more details if denials continued.
“Galatasaray officials know about this,” he said. “If these allegations are denied tomorrow or the next day, I will go through Yener İnce’s trouble. Some countries need to be informed of certain illnesses.”
Neither Galatasaray nor Osimhen has publicly responded to the claims, which have stirred widespread speculation in Turkey and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has joined the Super Eagles camp in Polokwane, South Africa, ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
The 25-year-old striker remains central to Nigeria’s qualification hopes, following an outstanding debut season at Galatasaray, where he scored 37 goals in 41 appearances to help the club clinch the Turkish Super Lig and domestic cup titles.
Despite his prolific form, Osimhen’s career has been marred by recurring injuries — including facial fractures, muscle strains, and a broken cheekbone sustained during his time at Napoli. His trademark protective mask originates from that 2021 injury.
Osimhen’s absence has often hurt Nigeria’s chances in major competitions, with recurring hamstring and ankle issues keeping him sidelined for several key fixtures. His latest ankle sprain in September 2025 saw him miss part of the Super Eagles’ preparation for the World Cup qualifiers.
While the new allegations raise questions about his long-term health, both club and country will be hoping that the forward’s resilience — which has defined his rise to international stardom — continues to carry him through.
