Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has hit back at critics questioning his recent performances for Galatasaray, insisting that nobody can dictate how he plays or scores goals after helping the Turkish champions secure a 4-2 victory over Lille in the UEFA Champions League.
The 27-year-old forward scored in Wednesday’s encounter on October 21, 2026, ending his recent goalscoring drought and helping Galatasaray claim an important away victory against his former club.
Osimhen had faced growing criticism from Turkish football commentators and pundits following a difficult spell after returning from a groin injury. Questions had been raised about his performances, movement on the pitch and apparent frustration with teammates during Galatasaray’s recent matches.
However, the Nigerian international responded by defending his approach to the game, explaining that difficult periods were part of football and did not necessarily indicate a loss of confidence.
Speaking after the victory over Lille, Osimhen said he continued to give his best even when matches did not unfold as expected.
“Most of the time it always happens like this. Not just me; so many players,” he said.
“I mean, I just try to do my best. Most of the time the game doesn’t go how I want, not just for me but for the team. But this doesn’t mean I’m nervous.”
The striker also made it clear that he would not allow outside criticism to dictate his playing style, emphasising that his experience and understanding of the game had shaped his approach.
“I came from a place where I’m not scared of challenges. I face any team as I want to face them. And I play my ball as I know how to do.
“Nobody can tell me how to make these runs, how to play my ball, how to score my goals. I mean, this is the kind of thing that I do. It’s the reason why I’m here; it’s the reason why I’m one of the very best strikers in the world,” he added.
Osimhen’s comments followed scrutiny of his performances after Galatasaray’s 4-1 defeat to Barcelona and their narrow 1-0 victory over Gençlerbirliği. His goalless appearance against Kasımpaşa had also contributed to questions about his form following his return from injury.
Despite the criticism, the forward insisted that negative comments did not affect his concentration or confidence.
He suggested that some of those questioning his performances did not fully understand him, adding that his priority remained helping Galatasaray achieve their objectives.
For Osimhen, the club’s collective success matters more than individual recognition.
“The club is bigger than any player. This is about a team, the collective effort of the team. I have too many things to actually worry about, not these types of talks,” he said.
His response came after an eventful Champions League encounter in France, where Galatasaray had to recover from a difficult first half before securing all three points.
Yunus Akgün gave the visitors an early lead, but Lille responded through Soriba Diaoune, who scored twice to put the French side ahead. Aleksey Batrakov then helped Galatasaray restore parity before the break.
Lucas Torreira subsequently put the Turkish side ahead in the second half, setting the stage for Osimhen to seal the victory with Galatasaray’s fourth goal.
The strike was particularly significant because it came against Lille, where Osimhen played during the 2019-20 season before moving to Napoli.
His goal also provided a timely response to the scrutiny surrounding his recent performances, demonstrating his ability to contribute at a crucial moment despite the pressure.
Osimhen’s return to scoring form will be encouraging for Galatasaray as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures, including their Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe.
The Nigerian forward remains an important figure in the club’s domestic and European ambitions, and his confidence will be central to their efforts to maintain consistency across competitions.
While his remarks firmly defended his individual abilities, Osimhen also stressed that personal achievements must remain secondary to the team’s overall performance.
For the Super Eagles striker, the message was clear: difficult spells are part of football, criticism will continue, but his focus remains on delivering results for Galatasaray.
