Victor Boniface fires back at critics after AC Milan move collapses

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has reacted angrily to criticism following the collapse of his proposed transfer to Italian giants AC Milan.

The 24-year-old forward, who currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, saw his deal to join Milan fall through after failing medical examinations, according to reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The arrangement was initially set as a loan move worth €5 million, with an option to buy for €24 million.

Following the development, Boniface became the subject of widespread trolling on social media, with many fans questioning his off-field lifestyle.

Videos of him engaging in light-hearted TikTok sessions recently went viral, sparking debates over his professionalism. Some supporters accused him of being too playful and unserious for a player with a history of serious injuries, including two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries.

The striker, however, responded with a fiery Instagram post, later deleted, in which he dismissed his critics as “clowns.” Boniface insisted that his talent had already earned him interest from top European clubs, stressing that he could not be written off because of his personality.

Despite the online backlash, Italian reports suggest the failed transfer was based strictly on medical concerns. La Gazzetta dello Sport disclosed that Milan’s medical team flagged long-term issues in Boniface’s right knee, which has undergone multiple operations in the past. Additional reports confirmed that the forward underwent extended medical checks across two days before the deal was officially abandoned.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted that the deal was “over,” while Milan’s sporting director Igli Tare emphasised that the decision was made solely on health grounds, not attitude or lifestyle.

With the Boniface move off the table, AC Milan have shifted focus to other options. Negotiations are ongoing for Sporting CP’s young striker Conrad Harder, while Juventus forward Dusan Vlahović is also being considered as an alternative target.

For Boniface, the setback is a painful one, but should he regain full fitness, further opportunities in Europe may still emerge