Osimhen vs Haaland, Mbappe & Kane: Does the Super Eagles star belong in world’s top 3?

Alvaro Morata has placed Victor Osimhen among the three best strikers in world football, Afrik-Foot reports.

The numbers suggest the Galatasaray forward has a strong case, although putting him ahead of established stars such as Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland is much harder.

“Victor Osimhen is one of the top 3 strikers in the world,” Morata said, as reported by Fanatik.

The former Galatasaray striker did not make the claim simply because of Osimhen’s goals. Morata played alongside him in Istanbul and saw his movement at close range.

“Victor is a legend. He’s so funny. He’s always helping everyone. What a guy! He’s a truly wonderful person and, for me, one of the top three strikers in the world. I really enjoyed playing with him. I remember sometimes playing behind Victor. It was like, ‘Just pass the ball into the open space, and I’ll score.’ I think he’s one of the best in the world.”

Osimhen’s record backs up much of that praise. He scored 37 goals in 41 appearances during his first Galatasaray season in 2024/25, including 26 in the Turkish Super Lig. That was the highest single-season total by a foreign player in Galatasaray history.

He followed that with 22 goals and eight assists in 33 official matches in 2025/26, including 15 league goals and seven in the Champions League.

Mbappe, Kane and Haaland make the debate difficult

The strongest argument against putting Osimhen in the world’s top three is the competition.

Kane scored 36 Bundesliga goals in 2025/26 and won the European Golden Shoe. Haaland scored 27 Premier League goals to win his third Golden Boot, while Mbappe finished the Champions League season with 15 goals, the most in the competition.

Their wider scoring records also show why they are difficult to displace. Mbappe finished year 2025 with 66 goals, Kane with 60 and Haaland with 57. Osimhen scored 42 for club and country and finished fifth in that ranking.

Yet the Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker offers something different. His explosive runs, aerial ability and willingness to attack space make him particularly dangerous against defenders who push high up the pitch. Morata experienced that first-hand when he played behind him.

Osimhen has also started the 2026/27 campaign strongly, scoring six goals and providing two assists in his first four league appearances.

Verdict – Osimhen: Is Morata right?

There is no objective top-three list for strikers. Kane, Mbappe and Haaland have stronger claims based on recent scoring numbers, especially in Europe’s elite competitions.

But Osimhen has produced enough goals, Champions League performances and consistent development at Galatasaray to make Morata’s ranking more than empty praise.

At 27, with his peak years still ahead, Osimhen has a realistic case to join that group. Whether he is already ahead of one of them is the part that will keep the debate going.