Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen faced a heated altercation with Beşiktaş’s Emirhan Topçu during a 1–1 Istanbul derby draw at RAMS Park in the Turkish Super Lig. The incident, occurring in the 39th minute, followed a referee’s decision to wave off a foul on Osimhen during an aerial challenge. Frustrated, Osimhen confronted Topçu, appearing to grab his neck before teammates intervened.
The clash sparked divided reactions. Some criticized Osimhen’s reaction, while many fans defended him, citing provocation and his competitive nature. On X, Thoysquare compared Osimhen’s actions to those of Zlatan Ibrahimović and Luis Suarez, arguing that such behavior hasn’t hindered other stars’ careers. Emmanuel Nnechi suggested possible racial abuse as a trigger, while Escanor linked Osimhen’s reaction to past injuries requiring his protective mask.
Fans like Josh listed similar incidents involving players like Pepe, Zidane, and Diego Costa, questioning why Osimhen faces harsher scrutiny. David-Leo Alabi argued that Osimhen’s passion is unfairly labeled as a “temper” due to racial bias, emphasizing that football thrives on intensity. Others, like Lamemzy and Vikel, noted that top players have committed worse acts yet remain celebrated, urging critics not to tarnish Osimhen’s reputation.
The draw ended Galatasaray’s perfect start, having won their first seven league matches.
