Boniface: Super Eagles star in ‘depression’ after tough year at Milan, Leverkusen, Bremen

Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface has opened up on depression after a tough period with injuries, weight criticism and failed moves, Soccernet.ng reports.

Boniface's rise to the top of his career once felt unstoppable. The powerful striker had become a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and looked set for even bigger stages. But over the past year, everything that could go wrong, almost has.

Now, the Nigeria international has spoken openly about his mental state after a difficult run of injuries, failed transfers and personal setbacks.

“Depression real die,” Boniface wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) page.

It was a short message, but one that captured the weight of a year that has tested him both physically and emotionally.

Boniface: A year of setbacks on and off the pitch

Boniface’s struggles began with injuries that repeatedly halted his progress. A groin problem in early 2024 required surgery and ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations. Later that year, a thigh injury suffered on international duty ended his season early.

Things worsened when knee problems resurfaced, forcing him to undergo surgery again in January 2026. The injury has kept him out for most of the current campaign, limiting his ability to regain rhythm and confidence.

Away from the pitch, he also endured a frightening personal ordeal. In October 2024, just hours after scoring a winning goal for Leverkusen, Boniface was involved in a serious car accident on a German highway. The vehicle was badly damaged, but he escaped with only minor injuries.

Just days earlier, he had been part of the Nigerian squad stranded for more than 15 hours at a remote airport in Libya, without food or water. The experience led the team to boycott their AFCON qualifier and added to an already stressful period.

His difficulties have also affected his career moves. A proposed transfer to AC Milan collapsed in August 2025 after medical tests raised concerns about his knee. Earlier in the year, a potential switch to Saudi side Al-Nassr also fell through.

Those failed deals, combined with his injury record, have seen his market value fall sharply and left him fighting to rebuild his reputation.

Criticism, missed chances and a fight to recover

Boniface’s loan move to Werder Bremen was meant to offer a fresh start, but it has instead brought fresh challenges.

He struggled badly in front of goal, failing to score in his first 11 Bundesliga matches before his latest surgery. At the same time, questions began to emerge about his physical condition.

Bremen’s coaching staff were direct in their assessment. Manager Daniel Thioune said: “It’s obvious that he is obese,” expressing disappointment at the striker’s fitness levels.

Reports suggested Boniface returned to training around 10 kilograms overweight, raising concerns about his professionalism.

Former club captain Max Kruse was even more critical, accusing him of a “lack of seriousness” and suggesting he had “already given up on his career”.

Club officials also pointed to issues with his diet, noting that while he worked hard in training, he showed “more discipline on the lawn than at the dining table”.

Sporting director Clemens Fritz confirmed that his lack of fitness had directly affected his playing time and contributed to a long goal drought, as the extra weight placed strain on his recovering knee.

To help him recover, Bremen introduced strict measures, including a special nutrition plan and extra training sessions. Despite returning to grass work, he has been left out of key matches because he is still not considered fit enough.

There have also been disappointments on the international stage. Injuries meant Boniface missed Nigeria’s squads for both the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2025 tournament, denying him the chance to be part of the team’s journey.

For a player who once looked destined for the very top, the past year has been a humbling experience. Yet his honest admission about depression offers a reminder that behind the headlines and criticism is a player trying to find his way back.

On a positive note for the former Bodo/Glimt forward, Boniface inspired Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024. He was named the league's Rookie of the Season for his spectacular debut campaign in the German top-flight.