'I didn't want to play anymore' - Victor Boniface wanted to retire over knee injuries as Nigeria star opens up on failed medical to AC Milan

Boniface has spoken candidly about his battle with knee injuries after a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed. The Nigerian striker was set to join the Serie A side on loan from Bayer Leverkusen for €5 million, with a €24m (£21m/$28m) buy option, but the deal fell through after he failed his medical at San Siro.

The 24-year-old joined Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 and was instrumental in his debut campaign at the BayArena, scoring 21 goals in 34 appearances as the German side lifted their first-ever Bundesliga title, won the DFB-Pokal, and finished as Europa League runners-up. However, the two ACL injuries he suffered, first in the 2018-19 season and then in the 2020-21 season, continue to be an issue for the striker. He missed 14 games last season due to multiple fitness problems. Following his failed medical, Boniface returned to Germany. Now, he has opened up on his battles with injuries and explained why his move to Milan ultimately collapsed.

Speaking on a live stream, Boniface said: "The transfer didn't work out because of my past injuries. I had two injuries to my right knee, and the problem has persisted for a long time. At one point, I had given up. While others were playing football, I was working just to get back to playing. After my second anterior cruciate ligament injury, I didn't even want to play anymore because of the pain from the first one and what I had gone through during the second one. I also lost my mother during that time."

Speaking to BILD, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rofles spoke about Boniface's failure to clear the Milan medical. 

“If he comes back [to Leverkusen], the Milan deal will be over. It’s no big secret," he said. It is understood that the former Bodo/Glimt forward underwent four medical examinations in Italy. However, the Rossoneri have withdrawn their interest amid concerns over his poor injury history. Per reports, Milan have reached an agreement to sign Sporting CP striker Conrad Harder in an operation worth €24m plus €3m in bonuses. However, the Dane could join French club Rennes instead.

Additional reporting by Lelio Donato.