Victor Boniface starts pre-season training in Spain to prepare for the new Bundesliga season.
The Super Eagles striker hopes to bounce back after injuries and limited game time last season.
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has resumed pre-season preparations at the prestigious Marbella Football Centre in Spain, ahead of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The Bayer Leverkusen forward, who struggled with form and fitness in the latter part of last season, is taking no chances as he aims to make a strong return under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Boniface, 24, is training at the same elite facility recently used by Real Madrid’s latest signing, Trent Alexander-Arnold. According to reports, access to the Marbella center costs €200 per day, approximately ₦362,000, a testament to the quality and exclusivity of the training ground, which has attracted top global athletes.
His off-season in Nigeria was filled with social appearances and lighthearted moments. He was spotted with fellow footballers Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare, as well as veteran striker Obafemi Martins. He also attended the Troost-Ekong Foundation celebrity match on June 22, where he scored a cheeky penalty against goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
A viral moment came when the mother of rapper Odumodublvck held a special prayer session for Boniface and friends, a gesture that resonated with fans across the country.
However, the Nigerian forward’s club form has come under scrutiny. After an injury setback in early 2025 and the departure of Czech striker Patrik Schick, Boniface found it difficult to regain his momentum. With Xabi Alonso’s exit to Real Madrid and Erik ten Hag taking over at Leverkusen, Boniface is eager to impress and secure a more prominent role in the squad.
At the international level, Boniface has also seen reduced minutes. He was an unused substitute in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda and made only a brief appearance in the match against Zimbabwe. Although he started the friendly against Russia on June 6, he failed to make an impact, with substitute Tolu Arokodare scoring the equalizer.
Frustrated, Boniface jokingly announced his retirement from international football via Instagram, a post he later deleted following backlash from fans. So far, he has earned 13 caps for Nigeria, with his only goal coming against São Tomé and Príncipe in a 2023 AFCON qualifier.
Despite recent challenges, interest in Boniface remains strong. English Premier League sides West Ham United and Newcastle are reportedly monitoring the forward ahead of the summer transfer window. West Ham, under new boss Graham Potter, is seeking attacking reinforcements and sees Boniface as a potential solution.
With his training now underway in Spain, Boniface is working to regain peak fitness, sharpen his skills, and reassert his place in both club and national team lineups. As the new season approaches, fans and scouts alike will be watching to see if the young striker can reignite the promise he showed earlier in his career.
