Osimhen: Super Eagles star crowned Turkey’s best after historic season of goals, records

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been named the 2026 Milliyet Footballer of the Year, adding another major honour to what has been a remarkable 12 months in Turkey, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Milliyet Sports Awards are among the country’s oldest and most respected sporting prizes, and Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian to be honoured.

The Nigerian forward also becomes the fifth non-Turk to win the award after Alex de Souza, Fernando Muslera, Enner Valencia and Mauro Icardi.

Since arriving at Galatasaray, the 27-year-old has transformed the club’s attack and quickly become a fan favourite in Istanbul.

His impact was most clearly seen during the 2024–25 campaign, when he led Galatasaray to a domestic double, winning both the Turkish Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup. Osimhen finished that season with 37 goals and seven assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, numbers that placed him among the most productive strikers anywhere in the world.

He also claimed the Süper Lig Golden Boot with 26 league goals, becoming the first Nigerian player to finish as top scorer in Turkey’s top flight. That same campaign saw him break a long-standing record held by Mário Jardel, as he set a new mark for the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single Turkish season.

Osimhen’s performances have attracted recognition in Turkey. In December 2025, he was named Sportsman of the Year at the GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, becoming the first Nigerian to receive that honour. It was another sign of how quickly he has become one of the most recognisable sporting figures in the country.

Osimhen, A year of records, awards and milestones

Over the past year, Osimhen has collected a string of individual prizes that reflect both his consistency and his influence. He was named Süper Lig Player of the Season and also voted Galatasaray’s Player of the Season, recognition from both the league and his club for his outstanding contribution.

One of the standout moments of his campaign came with a spectacular bicycle kick goal against Antalyaspor, which was later voted Goal of the Season.

His success has carried into the 2025–26 season. After completing a permanent move from Napoli, Osimhen has continued to score regularly despite dealing with minor injuries. By early 2026, he had already reached double figures in goals for the campaign.

In European competition, he has also made history. Osimhen became the first Nigerian player to score 10 career goals in the UEFA Champions League. Perhaps his most impressive milestone came in January 2026, when he became the fastest player in Galatasaray history to reach 50 goals, achieving the feat in just 59 appearances.

On the international stage, Osimhen has remained equally influential for Nigeria. During the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he delivered key performances and picked up multiple Man-of-the-Match awards, including in a crucial knockout game against Algeria.