Super Eagles striker chooses teammate Yunus Akgün to wear the armband despite manager’s plans for a leadership role.
Victor Osimhen scored for Galatasaray but attracted even greater attention after declining the captain’s armband during Sunday’s 3-3 pre-season draw against French club Rennes at RAMS Park.
The Super Eagles striker opened the scoring for the Turkish champions with a powerful header from Gabriel Sara’s well-delivered corner, giving Galatasaray an early advantage in an entertaining friendly encounter.
However, one of the biggest talking points came late in the second half after regular captain Abdülkerim Bardakcı was substituted.
As Bardakcı left the pitch in the 74th minute, he handed the captain’s armband to Osimhen, signalling that the Nigerian forward should lead the team for the remainder of the match.
Instead of putting on the armband, Osimhen walked over to teammate Yunus Akgün and handed it to the Turkish international. Akgün appeared surprised by the gesture and reportedly encouraged Osimhen to accept the responsibility, but the Nigerian forward politely maintained his decision.
The incident quickly drew attention, especially because Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk had previously indicated that Osimhen was among the players being considered for a leadership role following the departure of Mauro Icardi.
Although he chose not to wear the captain’s armband, Osimhen once again demonstrated his importance on the pitch. His well-taken header against Rennes continued an encouraging pre-season campaign as Galatasaray prepare for the defence of their Turkish Super Lig title and upcoming European competitions.
The friendly finished 3-3, with both sides producing an entertaining contest that offered valuable preparation ahead of the new season.
Osimhen’s decision not to captain the side has generated discussion among supporters, but the striker has consistently shown his influence through his performances rather than through official leadership titles. Whether his decision reflected humility, respect for longer-serving teammates or personal preference, neither the player nor the club has publicly commented on the incident.
With the new season approaching, Osimhen remains one of Galatasaray’s key players and is expected to play a central role as the Turkish champions compete on both domestic and European fronts.