‘Unprofessional’ – Boniface hit by Harnik, Kruse as Nigerian star battles fitness after injury

Victor Boniface’s difficult season has taken another twist, with the Nigeria international facing sharp criticism over his fitness as he battles to return from injury, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old striker, on loan at Werder Bremen from Bayer Leverkusen, has only just resumed training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. But instead of a smooth comeback, attention has turned to his physical condition.

According to reports, Boniface returned to training carrying a high single-digit number of extra kilos after three months out. Images of the forward quickly spread, prompting strong reactions from former players.

Ex-Bundesliga striker Martin Harnik did not hold back in his criticism. Speaking on his podcast as per 20min, he said:

“When I join team training, I have to be as fit as possible, and he's confused fit with overweight.”

Harnik went further, questioning Boniface’s professionalism at a crucial point in his career.

“He's carrying a considerable amount of weight,” he said. “He's coming back from this injury in a terrible state – that's unprofessional.”

He added a warning about the physical demands of top-level football:

“If he seriously wants to continue playing football, he needs to lose weight to relieve the strain on his knees. Muscle mass isn't helping either. This simply won't do.”

Victor Boniface: Injury struggles threaten to derail a promising career

While the criticism has been loud, Boniface’s recent struggles cannot be separated from a difficult injury record that has disrupted his momentum over the past two years.

Since early 2024, the Super Eagles striker has endured a series of setbacks, including groin, thigh and knee problems. The most recent came in January 2026, when he underwent knee surgery for cartilage damage, ruling him out for more than three months and costing him over 14 matches.

This latest setback is part of a worrying pattern. A thigh injury and illness in May 2025, a hamstring issue stretching from late 2024 into early 2025, and earlier problems that saw him miss the Africa Cup of Nations have all slowed his progress. Even earlier in his career, serious knee injuries raised long-term concerns about his durability.

These fitness concerns also had transfer implications. A proposed move to AC Milan collapsed in 2025 after medical checks revealed concerns about his knee condition.

On the pitch, the impact has been clear. After shining during Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing nine assists in 23 Bundesliga matches, Boniface has struggled to find rhythm. Since joining Bremen, he has made just 11 brief appearances, totalling 326 minutes, and is yet to score.

Former Germany international Max Kruse offered a more sympathetic view.

“I have to be very careful with my statements, because people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones,” he said. “Not that it's a good thing, but I can somewhat understand how one feels about this.”

Still, Kruse shares concerns about the bigger picture.

“He actually still has his best years ahead of him. That's a real shame, because he's actually a very talented striker who has the potential to be one of the best strikers in Europe.”

Boniface is now working towards a return to action later this month, having resumed individual training. Bremen’s staff remain cautiously optimistic he can play a role in their crucial end-of-season fixtures.

The club currently sits 14th on the Bundesliga table with 28 points, seven more than Wolfsburg in the relegation zone.