“Pray for Icardi… Osimhen is not very talented” – Turkish football commentator

By Monsurah Olatunji

Turkish football commentator Selim Soydan has sparked controversy with his comments regarding the performances of Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi, urging Galatasaray players to pray for the return of Icardi, whom he believes brings qualities that Osimhen lacks.

Icardi had made a strong start to the current campaign, scoring four goals in his first seven matches before suffering a devastating ACL injury.

His absence has left Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk with no choice but to rely on Osimhen as the focal point of the attack, despite having initially planned to pair the two strikers together.

Soydan, in his analysis of the team’s performances, explained that Icardi’s presence had a significant positive impact on his teammates.

He argued that the Argentine forward possesses qualities that elevate those around him, in contrast to Osimhen, whom he believes lacks the same level of talent.

“Galatasaray players should go to bed and pray for Icardi,” Soydan said, as reported by GSgazzete. “Icardi has literally made everyone a football player. Osimhen is not very talented.”

Soydan also emphasized Icardi’s ability to think ahead of the game and make key decisions before the ball even reaches him, something he feels Osimhen struggles to do.

He further claimed that Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s move to Benfica last summer was partly a result of Icardi’s influence, as the Argentine striker helped bring out the best in his teammates, including Aktürkoğlu, Barış Alper Yılmaz, and Yunus Akgün.

“If Kerem Aktürkoğlu is playing for Benfica today, he should go to bed and pray for Icardi. He got along very well with Barış and Yunus. If he was there, Osimhen could score even more,” Soydan added.

While these comments are likely to stir debate, they highlight the significant impact Icardi had on Galatasaray’s attacking play before his injury, and the challenge Osimhen faces in replicating that same level of influence.