Super Eagles and Werder Bremen striker Victor Boniface is reportedly set to undergo knee surgery after a persistent knee problem continued to hamper his performances and availability this season. The 25-year-old Nigerian international, currently on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen to Werder Bremen, has struggled with fitness issues since early December, leading Bayer Leverkusen’s medical team to recommend an operation that could rule him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
Boniface’s knee trouble surfaced during training in early December while with Bremen, initially thought to be minor. However, the discomfort failed to subside, prompting further evaluation by Leverkusen’s medical staff. According to reports from German outlet BILD, doctors have now advised surgery as the best long-term option to address the ongoing issue.
The decision to undergo surgery marks a significant moment in Boniface’s career, which has been dogged by injuries since his rise to prominence in Europe. The powerful forward first broke into the spotlight with Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise before earning a big-money move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023. In his debut Bundesliga season, he scored 21 goals in 34 appearances and helped Leverkusen to a historic domestic double, winning their first Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal.
Despite that early success, Boniface’s career has been repeatedly interrupted by knee complaints and other fitness problems. He missed a proposed loan move to AC Milan in summer 2025 after failing a medical in Italy — a move that collapsed due to concerns over his injury history, including two previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, both to his right knee. Boniface later revealed that the persistent knee issues had taken a toll on him mentally, at one point making him question his future in the sport.
Since joining Werder Bremen on loan, Boniface has clocked only 326 minutes of playing time and has yet to score for the club, largely due to ongoing fitness setbacks. These struggles have limited his impact and raised questions about his ability to maintain consistency at the top level.
With surgery looming, both Bremen and Leverkusen are reportedly in discussions to agree on the best approach before the Christmas break. Sporting directors from both clubs — Simon Rolfes of Bayer Leverkusen and Clemens Fritz of Werder Bremen — are said to be working to coordinate Boniface’s treatment plan and recovery process.
Undergoing surgery now would almost certainly end Boniface’s season and likely keep him out of action until well into 2026. However, medical experts believe this could offer the best chance to stabilise his knee long term and protect his career. While short-term frustration looms, the operation may be a necessary step for the Nigerian striker to regain full fitness and rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
No comments:
Post a Comment