Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
German automobile giant Mercedes-Benz has filed a criminal complaint against Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, accusing the 27‑year‑old Galatasaray forward of defaulting on a vehicle leasing agreement worth approximately €90,000 (about ₦142 million). The legal action, which was reported by several Nigerian and Italian media outlets on 28 and 29 April 2026, was brought before Italian authorities, including the Carabinieri.
The dispute centres on a Mercedes-Benz GLE leased in 2023, during Osimhen’s tenure at Napoli. According to the complaint filed by the legal representative of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Italia, the striker allegedly failed to meet the scheduled instalment payments and also neglected to return the vehicle at the end of the leasing contract. The manufacturer’s finance arm contends that the football star’s non‑payment and refusal to hand back the car have caused significant financial and legal injury.
Osimhen, who currently earns more than €20 million a year at Galatasaray and is widely regarded as one of the most lethal strikers in world football, has built a reputation for high‑end living and philanthropy. Earlier this week, he sponsored a group of Nigerian fans to fly to Istanbul for the derby against Fenerbahce, where he scored in a 3‑0 victory. He also recently flaunted a luxury collection that included two Lamborghinis, a Rolls‑Royce and a Mercedes‑Benz – the latter believed to be the car at the centre of the dispute. Yet, according to legal documents cited by Napolista and subsequently corroborated by multiple news outlets, the former CAF Player of the Year could not account for the missing payments or the whereabouts of the leased vehicle.
The complaint was lodged before the close of the leasing period and was triggered when Osimhen allegedly made no effort to complete the purchase or return the car. Shortly after the legal move became public, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that the conflict arose from a “simple misunderstanding”. According to that account, Osimhen was unaware of the outstanding instalments; once he was informed of the situation, he promptly paid about €75,000 and the leasing contract continued. Other reports, however, have not confirmed that any payment has been accepted by the carmaker, and neither Mercedes‑Benz nor Osimhen’s representatives have issued a definitive public statement clarifying the status of the case.
Sources close to the proceedings have described the matter as “essentially a contractual issue involving non‑payment and failure to return the leased asset as agreed.” The dispute began as a standard leasing agreement, but the alleged breach prompted the company to seek legal remedy after “efforts to resolve it amicably failed”. As of the evening of 29 April 2026, attempts to reach Osimhen’s management team for comment proved unsuccessful, and Mercedes‑Benz declined to discuss the case, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
The news has sent shock waves through Nigerian football circles, where Osimhen is cherished as a national hero. Social media users quickly pointed out that his weekly salary is many times larger than the disputed debt, leading many to question why such a relatively small amount would be allowed to escalate into a full‑blown legal confrontation. Market analyst and sports commentator Dele Ogunjobi observed, “This is not about the money – it is about contractual discipline and communication. When you earn €20 million a year, a €90,000 lease should be settled without a second thought.”
The development puts Osimhen in an uncomfortable spotlight as he continues to lead Galatasaray in its title defence. Although the legal proceedings are taking place in Italy, the reputational damage could affect his brand and his future relations with commercial partners. Meanwhile, several Italian news outlets, including Il Mattino, have suggested that the matter has already been resolved with a payment, but no official confirmation has been released by either party.
For now, the Nigerian international remains focused on his football. His legal team is expected to address the complaint in due course, while Mercedes‑Benz waits to see whether the leasing account will be brought fully up to date. Whether the dispute ends with a quiet settlement or a protracted courtroom battle, the episode serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated athletes are not immune to the small print of a contract.
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