Galatasaray forward Rafael Leão has expressed his gratitude to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for letting him take a penalty in the club’s 4-0 win over Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday.
Leão netted his first goal for the Turkish champions after Osimhen, despite being the club’s usual penalty taker, gave him the chance to convert a second-half spot-kick.
The gesture came just a day after Osimhen and his partner welcomed their second daughter, Liora Audrey, on Thursday.
Earlier, Osimhen had broken the deadlock in the 12th minute with a header, dedicating the goal to his newborn daughter in his celebration.
Speaking after the match on Galatasaray’s official YouTube channel, Leão said he had urged the Nigerian striker to score twice in celebration of the birth of his child.
“Yesterday was the birth of his second child. So I told him, ‘You should score two goals today.’ He could have scored the second goal, but he gave me the ball,” the Portuguese international said.
Leão said that Osimhen’s decision showed just how strong the team spirit is in the Galatasaray dressing room.
“It’s about this kind of attitude. We have a great group, so I’m really happy to have these kinds of teammates in the squad,” he added.
The former AC Milan winger also voiced his gratitude for Osimhen’s generosity, conceding that the penalty meant a great deal to him after he had waited to score his first goal for the club.
“I’m very grateful to him. He knows how hard I fought for that goal. I just want to give them back my quality and enjoy my game,” Leão said.
Osimhen’s choice let Leão convert the penalty and make it 4-0, rounding off a memorable evening for the Portuguese forward.
The Nigerian striker’s contribution also made the occasion special, since he paired his goalscoring display with a personal celebration after the birth of his second daughter.
The win further solidified Galatasaray’s standing in the Turkish Super Lig as the club carries on its domestic campaign under manager Okan Buruk.
