Victor Boniface Opens Up on Depression and Setbacks

Victor Boniface, a forward for Bayer Leverkusen, has publicly admitted to experiencing depression after a tumultuous year in his career. His struggles began with repeated injuries, including a groin issue that required surgery, which ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations later in the year.

A thigh injury during international duty further complicated his season, and a resurfacing knee problem necessitated another surgery in January 2026. Boniface's difficulties were compounded by a serious car accident on a German highway, which left his vehicle badly damaged but resulted in only minor injuries.

Additionally, he faced a distressing experience when the Nigerian squad was stranded for 15 hours at a remote airport in Libya without food or water, leading to a boycott of the AFCON qualifiers. His attempts to secure a transfer to AC Milan collapsed in August 2025 due to medical concerns regarding his knee, and a potential move to Al Nassr also failed.

Boniface's loan to Werder Bremen was intended as a fresh start but instead presented new challenges, as he struggled to score in his first 11 Bundesliga matches.