Victor Osimhen has praised Mauro Icardi after the Argentine striker’s decisive contribution in Galatasaray’s title-clinching victory over Antalyaspor, even as the Turkish champions face growing speculation over the futures of both forwards amid transfer interest and contract uncertainty, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Icardi played a key role in Galatasaray’s 4-2 win last weekend, which secured the league title, producing a moment of individual brilliance by dribbling past two defenders before setting up Kaan Ayhan for the fourth goal that ended Antalyaspor’s comeback hopes.
Osimhen, who was substituted in stoppage time and watched from the bench, described the sequence as exceptional, highlighting the Argentine’s composure and intelligence in a critical moment of the match.
Speaking to Galatasaray’s YouTube channel, the Nigeria international said he was left impressed by the quality of the move.
“What Icardi did was sensational. It was sensational; it shows how talented a player he is,” he said.
He added that the play initially led him to believe Icardi would go for goal himself before the decisive pass was made.
“When he did that dribble, it was like, ‘That is my captain.’ When he did that, I knew either he was going to go for goal himself because I didn’t see Kaan Ayhan approaching at first, as I was celebrating Icardi’s dribble past two players,” he said.
“That moment was really unique. Then he saw Kaan moving and placed the ball.”
Osimhen said the quality of the move was so high that he began celebrating even before the ball was struck into the net.
“It’s a very good goal. It shows how great a player he is, and that’s one of the reasons Kaan scored the goal, because it was already done,” he said.
“The celebration had started. It’s the reason why I ran towards him to say that was a very good play, and also ran to Kaan to say that was a very good goal. Both of them deserve the praise for that goal.”
However, attention around Galatasaray is now extending beyond on-field performances, with both Osimhen and Icardi central to emerging transfer and contract discussions following a successful domestic campaign.
Club president Dursun Özbek has moved to shut down growing speculation around Osimhen’s future, issuing a firm warning to potential suitors and insisting the striker would not be allowed to leave cheaply amid reported interest from top European clubs.
Speaking during the club’s Süper Lig title celebrations at RAMS Park, Özbek made clear that Galatasaray would resist any attempts to prise away the Nigerian forward.
“How much would Osimhen be worth if we put him up for sale now? I wouldn’t sell him for €100 million, why would I?” Özbek said.
“Osimhen encouraged us. He did his part, both in terms of prestige and performance. It’s a good thing we signed him.”
His comments underline Galatasaray’s growing confidence in retaining key players as they look to build on their domestic dominance, with the club increasingly determined to position itself as a long-term force in European football rather than a selling side.
At the same time, Icardi’s future remains unresolved, with the Argentine striker’s contract set to expire this summer amid reported interest from Juventus as they prepare for possible changes in attack following the expected departure of Dusan Vlahovic.
While he remains open to staying in Istanbul, Icardi has reportedly presented specific demands during negotiations, including a preference for a two-year contract and assurances over a consistent starting role in a front two alongside Osimhen.
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