Osimhen rivalry brings out best in me at Galatasaray – Sara

Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara says his “biggest enemy” at the club is Victor Osimhen – but only because their fierce day‐to‐day rivalry has helped forge a close friendship and powered the team’s recent success.

The Brazilian and the Nigeria striker both joined the Istanbul side in the summer of 2024 and have since become central figures as Galatasaray sealed back‐to‐back Super Lig titles and lifted one Turkish Cup.

Osimhen initially arrived on loan from Napoli before completing a permanent transfer for a Turkish record €75m last summer, while Sara was signed from Norwich City after a standout campaign in England that earned him places in both the EFL Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Championship Team of the Year for 2023-24.

Since making their debuts for the club, the pair have amassed 161 appearances between them in all competitions, quickly building an on‐field understanding that has turned into one of Galatasaray’s key attacking partnerships.

‘Biggest enemy’ born from daily rivalry

Speaking after Galatasaray’s 3-0 defeat by newly promoted Serie A side Venezia on Monday – a match in which Osimhen started and Sara came on as a substitute – the midfielder discussed how competition with the Super Eagles forward underpins their relationship.

Sara described Osimhen as his “biggest enemy” in a light-hearted reference to how they constantly push each other in training and in matches. He explained that this internal rivalry has helped raise both players’ levels and strengthened their bond in the dressing room.

Their camaraderie has been evident on and off the pitch. The pair are frequently seen joking during sessions and games, and Osimhen has repeatedly praised his Brazilian team-mate, notably after a 2-1 win over Besiktas in 2024 and following a 3-1 victory against Goztepe last season.

Osimhen also publicly celebrated Sara’s first call-up to the Brazil national team and went as far as backing him to make the country’s FIFA World Cup squad. Sara ultimately missed out on a place, but the Nigerian’s support underlined the depth of their friendship.

Key figures in Galatasaray’s recent success

The understanding between Osimhen and Sara has been central to Galatasaray’s resurgence over the past two seasons, with their combined influence helping the club dominate domestically.

Osimhen’s goals and physical presence in attack have dovetailed with Sara’s creativity and work-rate in midfield, giving the Turkish champions a strong spine as they claimed consecutive league titles.

Both have also featured heavily in the cup competitions, contributing to the Turkish Cup triumph that added further silverware to the club’s recent haul.

Future remains in Istanbul – for now

Their performances have inevitably attracted attention across Europe. Sara has been linked with Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Newcastle United, while Osimhen continues to draw interest from some of the continent’s leading sides.

However, despite that speculation, both players are expected to stay at Galatasaray beyond this summer. Neither has shown any public desire to move on, and the club plans to keep them together as it targets a third straight Super Lig crown.

Galatasaray also hope the pair can translate their domestic partnership into stronger results in the UEFA Champions League next season, with the club aiming to make a deeper run in Europe while maintaining its dominance at home.

For Sara, that means continuing to treat Osimhen as his toughest rival in training – and one of his closest allies when it matters most.