Osimhen’s preview of the return leg: "Playing for Juve would be a privilege"
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 25.02.26. | 17:12
The Nigerian striker introduced the return leg between Juventus and Galatasaray in an interesting way, in which the Turkish club dismantled the Turin side 5-2
Victor Osimhen has opened up on the possibility of joining Juventus in the future, ahead of Galatasaray’s Champions League last-16 second leg at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday.
In his pre-match press conference, as reported by TuttoSport, the Nigerian striker was questioned about his long-standing links to the Italian giants, which have been a recurring topic in previous transfer windows before his eventual move to Galatasaray.
🚨⚪️⚫️ Victor Osimhen: “Juventus is one of the most important clubs, rich in history and a ton of legends have played for this team”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 24, 2026
“Playing here would be a privilege. I’m happy at Gala but you never know in future. 90% of footballers in the world would want to play for Juve”. pic.twitter.com/5GAqaW1Brg
Osimhen gave a frank reply: “When they spoke to me at the time, I was eager to join before Galatasaray came along, but there were some obstacles and the transfer didn’t happen. If opportunities arise in the future, there are several clubs I would like to play for, playing here would be a privilege. But 90% of footballers in the world would want to play for Juventus.”
Juventus suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat in Istanbul last week, leaving Galatasaray as clear favourites to advance comfortably to the Champions League last 16. After Teun Koopmeiners briefly gave fans hope with a brace that overturned Galatasaray’s early lead, the Italian side endured one of their most nightmarish European evenings in recent memory in the Turkish capital last Tuesday.
It marked only the second time in UEFA competition history that the Bianconeri have conceded five or more goals, the first being a 7-0 defeat to Wiener Sport-Club in the 1958–59 European Cup.
Turning the tie around will require something truly extraordinary. Historically, of the 49 teams to lose the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie by three or more goals, only four have managed to advance.
Meanwhile, the Turkish side may already be envisioning a last-16 showdown with Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, having previously progressed from all 11 two-legged UEFA ties in which they won the first leg by a margin of three or more goals.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS
Return leg
Tuesday
Atletico Madrid - Club Brugge 4-1 (1-1)
/Sorloth 23, 76, 87, Cardoso 48 - Ordonez 36/
Atletico Madrid win 7-4 on aggregate
Inter Milan - Bodo/Glimt 1-2 (0-0)
/Bastoni 77 - Hauge 58, Evjen 72/
Bodo/Glimt win 5-2 on aggregate
Bayer Leverkusen - Olympiacos 0-0
Bayer Leverkusen win 2-0 on aggregate
Newcastle - Qarabag 3-2 (2-0)
/Tonali 4, Joelinton 6, Botman 52 - Duran 51, Jafarguliyev 57/
Newcastle win 9-3 on aggregate
Wednesday
20.45: (2.15) Atalanta (3.50) Dortmund (3.60)
22.00: (1.53) Juventus (4.80) Galatasaray (5.95)
23.00: (1.25) PSG (6.50) Monaco (10.0)
23.00: (1.45) Real Madrid (4.50) Benfica (7.00)
***odds are subject to change***