Two Cruciate Ligament Surgeries and Numerous Muscle Injuries: The Nigerian Forward Is Far From a Ready-Made Solution for Milan`s Attacking Needs
Victor Boniface, AC Milan`s new target in their search for a reliable striker, hardly seems like an immediate solution. This is particularly concerning given Milan`s current attacking crisis, exacerbated by Rafa Leao`s injury and Noah Okafor`s departure. Boniface`s limited playing time highlights his struggles: he managed just eighty-five minutes across five pre-season friendlies for Leverkusen, saw no action in their first official German Cup match in the 2025-26 season, and made only one appearance on April 20, 2025, against Sankt Pauli, in his last Bundesliga game. His career has been frequently tormented by injuries. A striking statistic from 2025 reveals the extent of his issues: the Nigerian forward played only 12 games for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring a mere three goals.
Despite his recent setbacks, just seven months ago, Boniface was on the verge of a significant €70 million transfer to Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo`s club in Saudi Arabia. “I was in a Frankfurt hotel, already buying gifts for my family, then everything fell apart,” the player recently confirmed in an interview. This anecdote underscores that when fit, Boniface`s talent is undeniable. In his debut 2023-24 season in Germany, he impressively scored 21 goals in 34 matches. However, the persistent issue lies in the fragility of his otherwise powerful 1.90m frame. His injury record is grim: at Bodo Glimt, his first professional club in Europe, he suffered two cruciate ligament ruptures, first in March 2019, then again in November 2020. Yet, these severe injuries did not deter him. He recovered and moved to Union St. Gilloise in Belgium, where he truly excelled in 2022-23, even playing as an attacking winger and netting 17 goals in 51 appearances. This strong form earned him a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, marking his first foray into one of Europe`s top five leagues. As mentioned, his start there was exceptional, consistently scoring and impressing as a center-forward under Xabi Alonso. However, January 2024 brought yet another significant setback: a serious adductor problem sidelined him for three months. His most recent injury, a thigh issue in November 2024, not only forced him to miss 12 matches but also negatively impacted his performance throughout the entire second half of the season. In summary, for AC Milan, investing in the Nigerian striker would undoubtedly be a substantial gamble, with its ultimate success potentially resting solely on a stroke of luck.
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