It’s about his late mother
Bundesliga striker reveals jersey secret
04.09.2025 – 07:15 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
His selected number is more than just a number. Victor Boniface brings a personal story that goes far beyond sport.
Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen only agreed on a loan – now, Victor Boniface has arrived at the Weser. With the Nigerian, Werder hopes for more goal danger on the offensive. Last season Boniface was still a top performer in Leverkusen, now he wants to prove himself again in Bremen.
The fact that he will run with the number 44 in the future has a very personal background. He wore 22 in Leverkusen, but it has already been awarded to Julian Malatini in Bremen. Boniface said when he imagined: “My mother died on a 22nd,” said the 24-year-old. “When I was offered the 44, I promised.”
His mother’s death occurred during his time in Norway at FK Bodø/Glimt. In a later interview in Belgium he spoke openly about this phase: “I lost my passion for football, I was very bad. I even drank alcohol. Something I never did now.”
Most recently, Boniface fought his health: two cruciate ligament cracks in the right knee threw him back. A planned obligation by the AC Milan failed due to medical concerns. Boniface himself took the development: “Things should be like this or not. It doesn’t concern me.”