‘I want to play in the derby’ — Journalist reveals Osimhen’s to drive recover from injury quickly

Victor Osimhen has made his intentions unmistakably clear upon returning to Turkey: he wants to feature in the high-stakes Fenerbahce–Galatasaray derby.

Despite carrying a hamstring injury from international duty, the Nigerian striker has reportedly told club staff that he is ready to push the limits to be available.

Turkish journalist Ali Naci Kucuk revealed, according to quotes from Haber Sarikirmizi, that Osimhen wasted no time stating his ambition.

“As soon as Victor Osimhen landed in Istanbul, he said, ‘I want to play in the derby!’” Kucuk recounted, adding that even after undergoing an MRI scan, the striker doubled down: “Do whatever you can, I'm here to make Galatasaray even more successful. I want to be on the pitch in the most important match.”

Osimhen suffered a hamstring injury during Nigeria’s World Cup playoff against DR Congo, forcing Galatasaray to immediately assess the extent of the damage upon his return.

Kucuk explained that the technical staff and medical team are now weighing whether to take a calculated risk on his availability.

According to him, “the Galatasaray technical staff and medical board are taking a risk and aiming to include Osimhen in the extended squad for the Fenerbahçe derby,” though he is expected to miss the Gençlerbirliği and USG fixtures.

Kucuk emphasised that Osimhen’s mentality is far from ordinary, and that his determination is already shaping the club’s approach to treatment.

“He wouldn't normally be ready for the Fenerbahce derby, but we're talking about a very different player.

“Due to Osimhen's desire and insistence, he will be given intensive treatment. We want him to be on the bench at least for the derby and then be able to join the game,” he added.

With one of the season’s most pivotal fixtures approaching, Galatasaray remain cautiously optimistic. If Osimhen’s accelerated recovery progresses as hoped, he might yet play a decisive role in the fiery Istanbul derby.