Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen has found himself embroiled in controversy once again after allegedly punching a Turkish journalist during a late-night altercation in Istanbul. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday evening as Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, was leaving an entertainment venue with friends following a disappointing UEFA Europa League result for Galatasaray two days earlier.
According to Turkish media reports, including Posta Newspaper, the altercation began when a group of journalists, including Tolga Bozduman, attempted to photograph Osimhen as he exited the venue. Bozduman recounted the event, stating, “I filmed Osimhen at the door with three of my colleagues. When the flashes went off, all hell broke loose. He ran towards me, screaming. He tried to take my camera away from me, but I didn’t let him. The punch he threw hit me in the head. My right side still hurts. He then started swearing. Then he offered, ‘Destroy the footage, I’ll give you money.’ When I refused, he threatened me by saying, ‘I’ll destroy you.’”
Neither Galatasaray nor Osimhen has officially commented on the incident, which has sparked significant media coverage in Turkey. This is not the first time the Super Eagles forward has made headlines for off-pitch altercations. In August 2024, a video of Osimhen at a nightclub in Naples went viral, raising questions about his conduct.
Despite the controversy, Osimhen has been in stellar form on the pitch this season, scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in 19 matches across all competitions. His performance on the field has been a beacon of hope for Galatasaray fans, even as his off-field behavior continues to draw scrutiny.
