How Osimhen’s Fenerbahçe brace sent him above Messi & Salah on Elo ranking

Victor Osimhen has moved to the top of the weekly Football Ranked Elo standings outside Europe’s top five leagues after scoring twice in Galatasaray’s 2-1 win over Fenerbahçe.

The Super Eagles forward climbed from fifth to first with a rating of 1,794 points, moving ahead of Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah in the latest rankings.

Osimhen scored both goals in Galatasaray’s Istanbul derby victory at RAMS Park on October 26, helping his team beat their bitter rivals and extend their lead at the top of the Turkish Süper Lig.

He opened the scoring in the 29th minute, controlling a pass from Barış Alper Yılmaz before sending a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The 27-year-old struck again just before half-time, getting a touch on Davinson Sánchez’s goal-bound effort to beat the goalkeeper and put Galatasaray 2-0 ahead.

İrfan Can Kahveci pulled one back for Fenerbahçe in the second half, but Galatasaray held on to win 2-1.

Osimhen moves ahead of Messi and Salah

Victor Osimhen’s performance came in his first start after a five-week injury layoff. He registered eight shots inside the penalty area and won five aerial duels against Fenerbahçe.

Per Football Ranked, the Nigeria international’s rating of 1,794 puts him 15 points ahead of second-placed Julián Quiñones of Al-Qadisiyah, who has 1,779.

Salah sits third with 1,777 points, followed by Messi on 1,775. Ollie Watkins completes the top five with a rating of 1,771.

Osimhen is the only Nigerian footballer in the top 50. Aside Salah, the other African stars on the chart are Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi (17th), Algeria’s Anis Hadj-Moussa (45th) and Senegal’s Krepin Diatta (49th).

Super Eagles striker continues scoring run

Osimhen has scored nine goals and provided three assists in nine appearances for Galatasaray across the Süper Lig and Champions League this season.

He has eight goals and three assists in seven league matches, while his Champions League tally stands at one goal in two appearances.

His European goal came in Galatasaray’s 4-2 win away to Lille on October 21. He also played the full 90 minutes in their 4-1 loss to Barcelona.

The Super Eagles forward has lifted the Turkish Super Lig title in each of his two seasons in Istanbul.