sports

Toroğlu Criticises Buruk Over Osimhen Absence Impact

Published

7 months ago

April 15, 2026

Criticism Mounts as Erman Toroğlu Blasts Okan Buruk Over Galatasaray’s Decline Without Victor Osimhen

Former Turkey international Erman Toroğlu on Wednesday in Istanbul, Turkey, launched a sharp critique of Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk over the team’s recent drop in performance following the injury-induced absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, highlighting growing concerns about squad dependency and tactical balance.

Also read: Buruk Makes Negative Osimhen Absence Claim for Galatasaray

Erman Toroğlu, a prominent football pundit and former referee, questioned Okan Buruk’s management of the squad after Galatasaray struggled to maintain consistency in domestic fixtures without Victor Osimhen, who has been sidelined since suffering an arm injury during a UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield in March.

The injury, which occurred during the second leg of the European tie, has kept Victor Osimhen out at a critical stage of the season, with Galatasaray failing to sustain their earlier momentum in his absence.

In the period without the Nigerian forward, Galatasaray recorded mixed results, including a 2-1 defeat to Trabzonspor, a 3-1 victory over Göztepe, and a 1-1 draw with Kocaelispor, a run that has intensified scrutiny of Okan Buruk’s tactical approach.

Describing the situation in strongly worded remarks reported by Turkish outlet Habersarikirmizi, Erman Toroğlu argued that Galatasaray’s system has become overly reliant on Victor Osimhen, suggesting that the head coach has failed to adequately manage the squad’s attacking structure.

“There was Icardi, there was Osimhen, there was Okan Buruk. Now Osimhen is absent, Okan Buruk is absent. It’s that straightforward,” Toroğlu said, in comments that have sparked debate among supporters.

He further added that responsibility for the team’s inconsistency lies with the coaching setup, insisting that elite squads should not be dependent on a single player.

The remarks have added pressure on Okan Buruk, who is already managing expectations in a tightly contested title race.

“If you are reliant on just one player in such a large squad, the responsibility lies with you. Okan Buruk failed to manage this team. Osimhen was the one directing you on the pitch,” Toroğlu stated.

Erman Toroğlu also raised concerns about the utilisation of Argentine forward Mauro Icardi, claiming inconsistent selection has affected the striker’s rhythm and overall contribution to the team’s performances.

Despite the criticism, there was a positive update for Galatasaray, with Victor Osimhen having resumed training and edging closer to a return to competitive action before the end of the month.

The Nigerian forward is expected to be available for selection in the upcoming fixture against Fenerbahçe, with indications that he could first feature in the squad for the match against Gençlerbirliği.

Also read: Six Drown as Boat Capsizes in Benue’s Buruku River

His return is seen as a significant boost for Okan Buruk, as Galatasaray look to stabilise their form and regain momentum in the league title race following recent dropped points.

Up Next

Mascherano Resigns in Shock Inter Miami Crisis

Don't Miss

Harry Maguire FA misconduct ban upheld by FA

Mariam Balogun

Click to comment

Brands

Mbappe Apologises Over Mao Zedong Comment as Chinese Brands End Deals

Published

11 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Mbappe Mao Zedong comment sparks backlash in China, prompting an apology from the Real Madrid star and the termination of two brand partnerships

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has apologised over an “ill-judged” comment about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong after Chinese drinks manufacturer Dongpeng Beverage and dairy producer Mengniu terminated their partnerships with the French football star.

Also read: Police Confirm Three Killed, Inspector Injured in Kebbi Violence

Mbappe, who captains France’s national team, issued the apology on his X account on Tuesday, acknowledging that his remarks had upset people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.

“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” he said.

The controversy followed the circulation of a video in which the 27-year-old footballer reacted to an internet meme featuring his face superimposed on that of a Chinese leader.

He reportedly described it as the funniest meme he had seen and referred to the figure as “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator”, in an apparent reference to Mao.

Dongpeng Beverage announced on Tuesday that it was ending its partnership with Mbappe, citing its opposition to comments considered offensive to Chinese national sentiment.

“Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments,” the company said.

“With immediate effect, we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe,” it added.

Mengniu, one of China’s largest dairy producers, also announced that it was ending its partnership with the Real Madrid forward.

“With immediate effect, our company is terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe,” the company said, adding that it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

The announcements generated widespread discussion on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where Dongpeng’s decision to end its partnership with the footballer became a trending topic.

Mao, who led the Chinese Communist Party and died in 1976, remains a highly sensitive historical and political figure in China.

Comments perceived as disrespectful towards him can provoke strong public reactions.

Mbappe had previously addressed memes comparing him to historical dictators in an interview with French sports newspaper L’Equipe in September.

“There’s a part of it that’s funny. You can tell that, for some people, it’s all in good fun. But there is another part that’s a bit less funny because of the damage such people have caused throughout history,” he said.

He added that being compared with individuals responsible for mass killings and widespread suffering was uncomfortable.

“Being compared to individuals who murder others, or who have brought misery to millions upon millions of people — well, I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like that in my life,” Mbappe said.

International sports figures have previously faced commercial and public backlash in China over politically sensitive comments concerning Taiwan, Tibet and Hong Kong.

In 2019, a social media post by then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressing support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong prompted Chinese authorities and businesses to suspend NBA-related activities.

NBA games were subsequently absent from Chinese state television broadcasts for about a year.

In 2023, former NBA player Dwight Howard also faced criticism on Chinese social media after referring to Taiwan as a country in a video featuring Taiwan’s then vice president, Lai Ching-te.

Also read: Police Confirm Three Killed, Inspector Injured in Kebbi Violence

Mbappe’s apology comes amid the fallout from the latest controversy and the decisions by Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu to end their commercial relationships with the footballer.