Victor Osimhen refuses captain armband during Galatasaray’s friendly against Rennes, choosing Yunus Akgün to lead the team instead

Victor Osimhen, Nigerian striker and Galatasaray forward, declined to wear the captain’s armband during Galatasaray’s 3-3 pre-season draw against Rennes at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park, choosing instead to hand the responsibility to teammate Yunus Akgün.

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The incident occurred during the second half of the friendly encounter after Galatasaray’s regular captain, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, was substituted in the 74th minute.

As he left the pitch, Bardakcı handed the armband to Osimhen, signalling his intention for the Nigerian international to take charge for the remainder of the match.

However, Osimhen turned down the gesture and passed the armband to Akgün, suggesting that the attacking midfielder should assume the leadership role on the field.

Akgün was reportedly surprised by the decision and attempted to persuade Osimhen to accept the responsibility, but the forward maintained his position.

The moment came after Osimhen had already made an impact on the match, scoring Galatasaray’s opening goal with a powerful header from a Gabriel Sara corner.

The Nigerian forward rose highest inside the box to convert the well-delivered cross and give the Turkish champions an early advantage.

Osimhen’s decision has drawn attention because Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk had previously indicated that the striker could become one of the club’s captains for the new season following the departure of Mauro Icardi.

The Nigerian forward joined Galatasaray after an impressive spell that established him as one of Europe’s most recognised strikers.

His performances have made him a key figure for both club and country, while his latest gesture has highlighted his approach to leadership and team hierarchy.

Rather than seeking the spotlight, Osimhen’s choice appeared to reflect a preference for shared responsibility within the squad as Galatasaray prepare for the competitive season ahead.

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The friendly against Rennes ended in a six-goal thriller, with both teams using the fixture to assess their squads and build match fitness ahead of their respective campaigns.