Osimhen Makes History, Crowned Turkey’s Footballer of the Year 2026

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen

Osimhen Makes History, Crowned Turkey’s Footballer of the Year 2026

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has etched his name in history by being crowned Footballer of the Year at the 72nd Annual Milliyet Sports Awards, one of the most prestigious sporting accolades in Turkey. Known as the “Oscars of sports” in the country, the awards celebrate the best performances across football and other sports each year. Osimhen’s recognition comes on the back of an outstanding season for Galatasaray, where he played a central role in securing the Süper Lig and Turkish Cup double, showcasing his consistency, skill, and goal-scoring prowess.

At 27 years old, Osimhen has become the first Nigerian to win the Milliyet Footballer of the Year Award, breaking new ground for African footballers in Europe. He also joins an elite list of foreign players to have won the award, including Alex de Souza, Fernando Muslera, Enner Valencia, and Mauro Icardi. This historic achievement highlights his exceptional impact in Turkish football, making him one of the most celebrated overseas players in the Süper Lig.

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Since joining Galatasaray permanently from SSC Napoli, Osimhen has been a revelation. He has scored 56 goals and provided 12 assists in 70 appearances, becoming the fastest player in the club’s history to reach 50 goals in just 59 appearances. He also became the first Nigerian to score ten career goals in the UEFA Champions League. Last season alone, he finished with 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Galatasaray’s domestic double and underlining his status as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers.

Osimhen’s brilliance has not gone unnoticed. He was named Süper Lig Player of the Season and Galatasaray Player of the Season, while his spectacular bicycle kick against Antalyaspor earned him the Goal of the Season award. These honours, combined with the Milliyet Footballer of the Year award, cement Osimhen’s reputation as a club legend and a standout player in Turkish football.

With Osimhen sidelined due to arm surgery, Galatasaray goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır accepted the award on his behalf. Çakır praised him as “a valuable footballer and a good person” and jokingly said he might compete for the award himself next year. Osimhen, speaking via a video message shown during the ceremony, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for the award. I would like to thank my club Galatasaray, my fans, my teammates, my president, and my coach. I hope to return soon. Thank you.”

Osimhen’s recognition is a major milestone for African footballers in Europe, demonstrating that consistent performance, dedication, and professionalism can earn global accolades. His journey from Napoli to Galatasaray underscores the impact African talents can have on top leagues and serves as inspiration for young players across the continent.

Despite recovering from injury, Osimhen’s record-breaking trajectory suggests even greater achievements ahead. Fans and football analysts expect him to continue shattering records in Turkey and Europe, potentially attracting renewed interest from top European clubs.