According to a report by PUNCH Sports Extra published on October 16, 2026, Çakar believes Osimhen's recent recovery from injury may also have affected his performance against the Spanish giants.

The Super Eagles forward played the entire match but struggled to influence proceedings as Barcelona secured a convincing victory. Osimhen found it difficult to exploit spaces behind the visitors' defence, with Barcelona's advanced defensive line repeatedly catching him offside and restricting his opportunities to threaten the goal.

His display attracted criticism from supporters and football observers who had expected him to make a greater impact against one of Europe's leading clubs. However, Çakar believes the circumstances surrounding the performance should be considered before judging the striker too harshly.

The former referee reportedly attributed some of Osimhen's difficulties to the limited service he received throughout the game. He also pointed to the possibility that the forward had not fully regained his best physical condition after returning from injury.

Despite the disappointing outing, Çakar remains confident in Osimhen's abilities and believes the striker possesses the quality required to succeed at the highest level of football. His comments suggest that one difficult performance should not overshadow the Nigerian's established reputation as a dangerous goalscorer.

Çakar also suggested that Osimhen could become the Premier League's leading scorer, highlighting his finishing ability and natural instincts inside the penalty area. Such a prediction reflects the confidence he has in the forward's attacking qualities.

Before his injury setback, Osimhen had enjoyed an impressive start to the season, recording six goals and two assists in four league appearances for Galatasaray. Those numbers demonstrated his importance to the Turkish club and his ability to deliver consistent attacking contributions.

The Nigerian international also made a positive return from his absence by providing an assist in Galatasaray's 3-1 victory over Kasimpasa before the Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Although his performance against the Catalan side fell below expectations, Çakar's defence has drawn attention to the importance of considering fitness, tactical challenges and the quality of service available to a striker.

Osimhen will now have an opportunity to respond on the pitch when Galatasaray travel to face Genclerbirligi on Saturday. The forward will be eager to regain his sharpness, contribute to another positive result and demonstrate why he remains one of the club's most important attacking players.