Victor Osimhen and his teammates at Galatasaray S.K. have reportedly been promised a massive €5 million bonus if they succeed in knocking Liverpool F.C. out of the UEFA Champions League.
Reports emerging from Turkey indicate that the club’s president, Dursun Özbek, approved the incentive as extra motivation for the squad ahead of the decisive second-leg clash. The Turkish giants currently hold a slim advantage after securing a 1–0 victory in the first leg of their Round of 16 encounter.
Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük disclosed that the idea for the bonus reportedly came from Osimhen himself during internal discussions with the club’s leadership. According to Küçük, the Nigerian striker suggested the €5 million reward if the team manages to eliminate the English side, and the proposal was immediately accepted by Özbek.
Beyond the promised bonus, progressing to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition would also bring significant financial benefits. Clubs that reach the last eight are expected to earn roughly €12 million in prize money from the competition’s governing body, UEFA.
Galatasaray’s narrow first-leg win was secured at their home ground, RAMS Park, where Osimhen played a pivotal role in the decisive moment of the match. The Nigerian forward created the only goal just seven minutes into the game, heading a corner kick back across the goal area for teammate Mario Lemina to nod past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
That early strike proved enough to hand the Istanbul-based club a crucial advantage heading into the return leg, scheduled to take place at Anfield on March 18.
The match also carried deep emotional significance for Osimhen. Shortly before kickoff, Galatasaray fans displayed a touching tifo tribute in honour of his late mother. As the Champions League anthem played inside the stadium, the 27-year-old striker appeared visibly emotional and struggled to hold back tears.
Despite the emotional moment, Osimhen delivered an impressive performance, helping the Turkish champions maintain their slender lead heading into the decisive fixture in England.
Speaking after the match, the Nigerian international highlighted the emotional connection between the team and their supporters while stressing the importance of the victory.
According to him, playing in front of the home crowd always brings intense emotions, but securing the win was the most important outcome. He also acknowledged that the second leg in England would be extremely challenging but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete strongly against Liverpool.
Osimhen added that the performance in the first leg against a top side like Liverpool shows the squad has the quality and belief required to produce another strong display at Anfield.
Since completing a permanent move to Galatasaray last summer, Osimhen has emerged as one of the club’s most influential players. His attacking contributions have been vital to the team’s domestic and European campaigns.
In the current Champions League season, the Nigerian striker has scored seven goals and registered three assists in nine appearances. He has also been impressive in the Turkish league, recording 11 goals and four assists in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Across all competitions this season, Osimhen has amassed 18 goals and seven assists, underlining his importance to Galatasaray’s push for silverware both at home and in Europe.
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