Nigeria international Victor Osimhen has been tipped as one of the leading candidates to captain Turkish champions Galatasaray ahead of the new season, but a prominent Turkish football pundit believes the striker’s temperament could prevent him from wearing the armband despite his outstanding performances for the club.
Turkish sports commentator Bülent Timurlenk argued that while Osimhen has earned the respect of teammates and supporters through his goals and commitment on the pitch, his emotional reactions during matches make him a less suitable choice for the captaincy. Speaking to Turkish newspaper Sabah, Timurlenk said the Nigerian forward often struggles to control his emotions when dealing with referees, opponents and, at times, teammates.
According to the pundit, Osimhen possesses the qualities of a top-class footballer but lacks the composure expected of a team captain. He described the Super Eagles striker as a player who competes with passion but occasionally allows his emotions to influence his behaviour during games, a trait he believes could affect his leadership role.
The debate comes as Galatasaray prepares to appoint a new captain following the departure of Mauro Icardi. Alongside Osimhen, Turkish international defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı has emerged as another strong contender after captaining the side on several occasions during the previous campaign. Timurlenk predicted that head coach Okan Buruk and his technical crew may favour Bardakcı because of his calmer personality and leadership style.
Despite the criticism, Osimhen remains one of Galatasaray’s most influential players. The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the club’s biggest stars since joining permanently and has also demonstrated leadership with the Nigerian national team, captaining the Super Eagles in two of their recent competitive matches, including fixtures against Uganda and Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Osimhen was absent from Galatasaray’s 5-1 pre-season friendly victory over Ümraniyespor as the club began preparations for the new campaign without their prolific striker. His absence has fuelled discussions over the team’s leadership structure ahead of the 2026/27 season.
While Timurlenk’s comments have sparked debate among fans and football analysts, many supporters believe Osimhen’s commitment, work rate and match-winning ability make him worthy of the captain’s armband. The final decision, however, rests with coach Okan Buruk and the club’s management as Galatasaray gears up for another domestic and European campaign.
Pundit Bülent Opens On Why Osimhen Was Denied Leadership As Gala Captain
