“Someone I respect very much” – Osimhen explains handing Gündoğan armband in Gala win

Victor Osimhen turned down the captain’s armband during Galatasaray’s 3-1 victory over Alanyaspor, opting instead to hand leadership duties back to Ilkay Gundogan in a gesture he described as respect.

Galatasaray secured the win at RAMS Park with Osimhen scoring once and providing an assist, but the captaincy exchange became a key talking point.

Leadership decision

Regular captain Mauro Icardi started on the bench, while vice-captains Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Kaan Ayhan were not in the starting line-up. Lucas Torreira led the side before being substituted in the 79th minute.

When Gundogan entered the match, the armband was passed to him. He then approached Osimhen in an apparent attempt to hand over the responsibility. The Nigerian immediately declined and returned it.

“İlkay is someone I respect very much, he is very valuable to me,” Osimhen told the club’s official website.

“He is a person known worldwide. He is both calm and motivating. He is someone we can always talk to.

“He is very visionary. When he brought me the captain’s armband, it felt strange. I gave it back so he could lead us. He helps us every time he comes into the game. He is someone who deserves love.”

Focus on the result

The match itself proved competitive. Galatasaray, coming off a midweek win over Juventus, took the lead before half-time through Gabriel Sara.

Alanyaspor equalised early in the second half when Steve Mounie headed home. Osimhen was later involved in a contentious penalty incident but chose not to protest.

“There was contact,” he said. “I didn’t want to argue… The important thing is that we won the match.”

Osimhen assisted Torreira to restore the lead before capitalising on a mistake by goalkeeper Paulo Victor to score his 10th league goal of the season and seal the victory.