Legendary English striker and broadcaster Gary Lineker has apologised to Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen after wrongly suggesting he sometimes missed training.
Lineker, 64, enjoyed a successful career with the England national team, Barcelona and Leicester City before becoming one of football’s most respected voices. Because of his reputation, his earlier remarks about Osimhen’s work ethic caused a stir.
Speaking on his The Rest is Football podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, Lineker admitted he had been wrong.
“I need to apologise to Victor Osimhen,” Lineker said. “I once hinted that he goes missing sometimes, but that is completely untrue. So Victor, if you’re listening, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spread such rumours.”
He went on to praise Osimhen’s strength and skill, while Shearer added that the Nigerian dominated Liverpool defenders Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk during Galatasaray’s recent win over the Reds.