BAYER Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has admitted that Nigerian international Victor Boniface struggled to handle the intense pressure that surrounded his future during the club’s pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 campaign.
Speaking to German outlet Kicker, Rolfes disclosed that the 24-year-old striker appeared unsettled by ongoing transfer speculation and lacked the resilience and mental toughness expected at the elite level.
“Unfortunately, Boniface couldn’t handle the pressure at the beginning of the preseason,” Rolfes said.
“The possibility of a transfer was an issue because Boni wasn’t as resilient. He’s improved, but the question is, can we give him the opportunities to become really good again?”
Boniface, who joined Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 for €20.5 million, now faces increased competition for the lone striker position under new coach Erik ten Hag.
He will battle Czech international Patrik Schick and highly rated 19-year-old prospect Christian Kofane for game time this season, with his long-term future at the BayArena appearing uncertain despite being contracted until 2027.
The Nigerian forward’s troubles were compounded after a proposed switch to AC Milan collapsed this transfer window.
Milan had reached an agreement with Leverkusen on a structured deal worth €5m as a loan fee plus a €24m option to buy, but the Italian club withdrew after conducting four separate medical examinations that raised concerns over Boniface’s injury history.
Confirming the reason behind the failed transfer, Boniface himself admitted during a livestream that his history of serious injuries including two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears on his right knee — played a decisive role.
“The move didn’t work out because of my past injuries. I had a knee injury twice on my right leg, and it has been there for a long time,” Boniface revealed.
Since his arrival in Germany, Boniface has endured a series of injury setbacks, missing significant stretches of the last two seasons due to recurring muscular problems.
In January 2025, he also saw a lucrative €60m transfer to Saudi giants Al Nassr fall through at the final stages, adding to his string of career frustrations.
Despite the disappointments, Boniface has shown flashes of brilliance in the Bundesliga and in Europe when fit. Yet, his recurring injuries and emotional challenges have threatened his career trajectory.
The striker has previously revealed that a combination of fitness struggles and the devastating loss of his mother nearly pushed him into quitting football altogether.
