Osimhen dedicates brace to injured Icardi
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Victor Osimhen took his magnanimity to another level on Sunday by dedicating his brace in their 3-2 win over Samsunspor to injured Galatasaray teammate Mauro Icardi.
The Nigeria striker gave his team the lead three minutes into the Turkish Super Lig Game Week 12 fixture and restored the advantage in the 55th minute, five minutes after Jules Ntcham pulled the visitors level from the spot.
The 25-year-old celebrated his efforts by hoisting Icardi’s shirt in front of the fans at RAMS Park in Istanbul.
The former Lille player, who joined the Turkish champions on a season-long loan from Napoli in September, thus took his tally to six in as many league matches and eight in nine matches across all competitions.
Osimhen has been enjoying the company of Icardi and Diers Martens, his former Napoli teammates with whom he has formed a lethal attacking force at Galatasaray.
The club reported on Sunday that Icardi, 31, will undergo surgery after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in their 3-2 Europa League win over Tottenham Hotspur on Friday.
The Argentine, who has already missed games this season due to a separate muscle injury, was carried off the pitch on a stretcher during Thursday’s home game.
In a statement, Galatasaray said the Argentine “was diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee and meniscus damage in the MRI examinations.
“Our player, who is scheduled for surgery, has started rehabilitation before surgery.”
Galatasaray are third in the Europa League standings and lead the Turkish top flight.
