A Turkish football doctor and former referee, Ahmet Çakar, has suggested that Galatasaray may be aware of a serious, unnamed medical condition that could affect Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for life, Soccernet.ng reports.
Speaking on Beyaz TV’s Derin Futbol programme, Çakar claimed to have obtained sensitive information from the Turkish Ministry of Health regarding Osimhen’s health.
While refusing to specify the alleged condition, he hinted it was significant enough to warrant official disclosure.
“I received information from the Ministry of Health regarding Victor Osimhen’s illness,” Çakar said as per Gsgazete.
“As a sportsman and father of two, I don’t want to discuss Osimhen’s illness. I find it wrong.
“I spoke with Galatasaray Club Doctor Yener İnce, and he said, ‘The information you received is incorrect.’ Osimhen’s illness will likely affect him for the rest of his life.”
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Çakar, 63, a respected but controversial figure in Turkish football, added that Galatasaray officials were aware of the situation, and that the Ministry of Health was ‘obligated’ to know under local regulations. He also suggested he would pursue the matter further if club medical staff continued to deny the claims.
“If these allegations are denied tomorrow or the next day, I will go through Yener İnce’s trouble. Galatasaray officials are also aware of this situation. Some countries need to know about certain illnesses,” he added.
Galatasaray have not publicly responded to Çakar’s comments, and Osimhen himself has made no statement on the matter.
Victor Osimhen joins Super Eagles camp for World Cup qualifiers
While controversy brews in Turkey, Osimhen is set to join the Super Eagles in Polokwane, South Africa, ahead of this week’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has named the striker in his 23-man squad and is counting on his fitness for the fixtures.
The reigning Turkish Super Lig champion remains central to Nigeria’s qualification hopes. Known for his relentless energy, aerial strength, and clinical finishing, Osimhen’s form has been remarkable: 37 goals in 41 appearances last season for Galatasaray as they sealed a domestic double.
Yet, his aggressive playing style and high-intensity approach have often left him prone to knocks and fatigue.
Osimhen’s battle with injuries
Osimhen’s career has been punctuated by frequent injury setbacks.
The former Lille star endured shoulder troubles during his days at Wolfsburg and had to overcome to facial fractures and repeated muscle strains at Napoli.
Between 2021 and 2025, he missed significant spells due to a series of muscular, calf, and hamstring issues, including 54 days out with a broken cheekbone and 42 days from a hamstring tear.
His trademark mask stems from that 2021 facial injury, which also forced him to miss the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles have often struggled in his absence. His recent ankle sprain in September 2025 again sidelined him for key international matches, echoing previous absences that disrupted Nigeria’s rhythm in the World Cup qualifiers.
Despite the setbacks, he remains Nigeria’s most dependable attacking threat and both Galatasaray and the Super Eagles will be hoping his injury woes are finally behind him.