Victor Osimhen Accused of Faking Injury During World Cup Qualifier to Protect His Club, Galatasaray

Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan has made a shocking claim against Nigerian star Victor Osimhen, alleging that the striker feigned an injury during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying clash against Rwanda.

The incident occurred when Osimhen, who recently secured a permanent move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, left the pitch in the 35th minute due to an injury setback. This development sparked immediate concerns among Nigerian fans about the striker’s fitness, especially with the next crucial match against South Africa looming, which eventually ended in a 1-1 draw.

According to Gyan, Osimhen’s injury was not genuine. The Ghanaian legend suggested that the former Napoli forward pretended to be hurt to conserve energy for his new club, ahead of important upcoming matches in the Champions League.

“I know these tricks. Someone told Osimhen: ‘Look, we spent a lot of money on you. The Champions League is coming up, and we’re not thrilled about you flying off to Africa for this international break. But go, play a little, lie down on the pitch, and pretend it’s serious. The next day you’ll already be back in Turkey. It’s just to avoid media noise,’” Gyan revealed.

He added, “Trust me, you’ll see him fresh and running at full speed in the Turkish league and the Champions League. No matter how many times he gets hit there, he won’t be lying on the ground. The doctors are in on it too. Euro is worth more than naira.”

The accusation has stirred a wave of reactions online, with fans debating whether Osimhen’s early exit was tactical or an actual injury setback.

With Galatasaray fixtures and Champions League commitments on the horizon, this controversy has reignited the perennial debate about club vs country priorities in modern football.