"Clowns everywhere" — ‘Angry’ Boniface responds to trolls amid reports of failed Milan medical

Super Eagles of Nigeria striker Victor Boniface has broken his silence following the dramatic collapse of his proposed move to AC Milan. 

The deal fell apart due to the 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star failing a medical as reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Romano wrote on X: “AC Milan call Victor Boniface deal off as Nigerian striker did not pass the medical tests. Despite verbal agreement for €5m loan fee and €24m buy clause with player in Milano in the last 48h, deal called off due to medical.”

Amid the news of Boniface’s failed Milan medical, fans mostly on social media, began to speculate that the footballer’s flamboyant online persona played a part in his undoing. 

Pulse Sports earlier reported a video showing him cheerfully joining TikTok live, accompanied by ladies who failed to recognise him before charging a fee of ₦50,000, went viral.

And the video appeared to fuel backlash from fans on social media.

Fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram with harsh critiques, urging Boniface to “reduce your social-media lifestyle” and describing him as “an unserious jokester” whose injury record makes humour ill-advised.

One user on X wrote: “Dear Victor boniface, reduce your social media lifestyle.”

Another user wrote: “For a player who has done his 2 ACLs,I don't think Victor Boniface's insistence on being known as an unserious jokester & walking meme helps his career advancement.What exactly is the upside of being perceived as a unserious guy with dodgy knees?Maybe the likes & RT are worth it”

One other comment read: “Victor Boniface failed medical at Ac Milan. He is the architect of his downfall. If he’s not surrounding himself with online women, he is on a dark-humor interview. He’s too unserious to be a great footballer. His career ship is sinking before it sailed.”

In response, Boniface unleashed a blistering, now-deleted Instagram Story:

“Boniface no serious he dey everywhere. I Dey club like Leverkusen and club like Milan want me and I no serious. So if I serious na club for Jupiter I go Dey play. Clowns everywhere…” 

His message was an unmistakable rebuff to critics, steeped in frustration at being undervalued for his flair rather than his promise.

While social media noise centred on Boniface’s social life, Italian outlets report that the collapsed transfer was driven by medical caution, not character concerns.

Per La Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan cancelled the deal after scans revealed “red flags over the long-term stability of Boniface’s right knee,” noting scar tissue and structural concerns from two prior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries.

Football Italia added that Milan had pulled out of the agreement due to his medical history, saying there was little chance of revival; Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes conceded as per BILD, “If he comes back… the Milan deal will be over. It’s no big secret”.

Reports further described unusually extensive medical testing over two days, from Fridays through Saturday, with Boniface shuttling between club facilities, the CONI testing centre, and Milan’s trusted orthopaedic surgeon – even called back from holiday for examinations at the Galeazzi Hospital.

Multiple reports point to a collapsed loan deal worth €5 million with a €24 million purchase option - not renegotiable now, and Boniface is expected to return to Leverkusen to continue training and rehabilitation.

The decision, it seems, was not borne of ill will but prudence. 

Milan’s sporting director Igli Tare emphasised that the club had no additional medicals and were fully aware of Boniface’s background, but trying to make the right decision for this situation.

“We knew that he had problems in the past, we are evaluating everything as planned with regards to the health and fitness of the player.

“His qualities are undoubted. We are just trying to make the right decision for this situation,” Tare told the press on Saturday as per Football Italia.

For Boniface, this episode may sting, but the core issue appears medical, not moral. 

If he can prove his fitness in the weeks ahead, the door may remain ajar for a revived interest. 

With the Boniface move off the table, Milan appear to be pivoting decisively. 

Pulse Sports reported they have opened negotiations for Conrad Harder, a promising striker from Sporting CP. 

Harder is now considered their “Plan A,” with direct talks underway between his representatives and Milan.

At the same time, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahović, is reportedly back on their radar. 

There are fresh contacts being explored to resolve contract and salary complexities, with a potential move pegged around €15 million plus bonuses.