Victor Osimhen Wins Turkey’s Footballer of the Year Award After Record-Breaking Season

Victor Osimhen Wins Turkey’s Footballer of the Year Award After Record-Breaking Season

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has been named Footballer of the Year in Turkey, capping a remarkable period in his career and further cementing his status as one of the most dominant strikers in European football.

The award was presented at the prestigious 72nd Milliyet Sports Awards, widely regarded as one of the highest honours in Turkish sports. The ceremony, often described as the “Oscars of sports” in Turkey, recognized Osimhen’s outstanding performances for Galatasaray over the past season. 

Osimhen’s recognition follows a prolific campaign in which he played a central role in Galatasaray’s domestic dominance. He was instrumental in the club securing a historic domestic double, winning both the Turkish Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup. His contributions were decisive, with reports indicating he scored 37 goals and provided seven assists during that campaign alone.

Across all competitions since his move to Turkey, the Nigerian striker has maintained exceptional consistency. He has recorded a total of 56 goals and 12 assists in 70 appearances for Galatasaray, underlining his influence as the focal point of the team’s attack. 

This latest accolade carries historic significance. Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian player ever to win the award and only the fifth foreign footballer to receive the honour, joining a select group of international stars who have made a lasting impact on Turkish football. 

His rise in Turkey follows a high-profile move from Italian side Napoli, where he had already established himself as one of Europe’s elite forwards. At Galatasaray, he quickly became a fan favourite, with his goal-scoring ability, physical presence, and attacking leadership transforming the club’s offensive structure. 

Despite not being physically present at the awards ceremony due to recovery from an arm injury, Osimhen delivered a message of appreciation, expressing gratitude for the recognition. The award was received on his behalf by teammate Uğurcan Çakır, who praised both his footballing ability and character. 

Stone Reporters note that the award reinforces Osimhen’s growing global reputation. Already a former African Footballer of the Year and one of Nigeria’s most influential players, his continued success in Turkey highlights both his adaptability and sustained elite performance across different leagues.

His impact has extended beyond domestic competitions. In the current season alone, he has continued to deliver strong performances, contributing goals and assists across league and European matches, maintaining his position as one of Galatasaray’s most reliable players. 

For Nigerian football, the recognition adds to a growing list of international achievements by its players, reinforcing the country’s presence at the highest levels of global football. Osimhen’s journey—from grassroots football in Lagos to becoming a dominant force in Europe—continues to resonate as one of the sport’s most compelling success stories.

As he recovers from injury and looks ahead to the remainder of the season, expectations remain high for the striker to build on this success. With both club ambitions and international commitments on the horizon, his influence is likely to remain central to both Galatasaray and the Nigerian national team.

The award not only celebrates past achievements but also signals Osimhen’s continued relevance in global football, as he remains firmly among the leading forwards shaping the modern game.

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Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa