Victor Osimhen declined the Galatasaray captain’s armband during the club’s 3-3 pre-season draw with Rennes at RAMS Park.
The Nigerian striker had earlier scored Galatasaray’s opening goal after Gabriel Sara delivered a corner into the penalty area. Osimhen rose highest and headed the ball into the net.
Galatasaray captain Abdülkerim Bardakcı handed the armband to Osimhen when he left the pitch in the 74th minute.
Osimhen then gave the armband to Yunus Akgün instead. Akgün tried to persuade the forward to take it, but Osimhen refused.
The incident came after manager Okan Buruk said Osimhen would be one of Galatasaray’s captains for the 2026/27 season.
“Osimhen will be one of our captains,” Buruk said after Mauro Icardi’s departure from the club.
Buruk’s comments had placed Osimhen among the players expected to take on greater responsibility at Galatasaray this season.
However, the former Napoli forward chose not to wear the armband when Bardakcı offered it to him against Rennes.
Rennes later scored twice as both teams produced a six-goal pre-season friendly.
Galatasaray eventually secured a 3-3 draw, while Osimhen’s captaincy decision became a talking point from the match.
The incident adds a fresh detail to Osimhen’s expected leadership role at Galatasaray ahead of the new season.
