History Maker: Victor Osimhen Named Turkey’s 2026 Footballer of the Year

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has further cemented his legendary status in Turkish football after being crowned Footballer of the Year at the 72nd Milliyet Sports Awards.

The ceremony, held on Thursday night and widely regarded as the “Oscars of Sports” in Turkey, recognized the 27-year-old’s transformative impact at Galatasaray. Osimhen’s victory marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first-ever Nigerian to receive this prestigious honor.

A Season of Pure Dominance

The award follows a record-breaking campaign where Osimhen propelled Galatasaray to a historic domestic double, winning both the Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup. His individual statistics have been nothing short of elite:

• Süper Lig: 26 goals and 4 assists in 30 appearances.

   

• Total Contributions: 38 goal contributions across all competitions last season.

   

• Club Records: He became the fastest player in Galatasaray history to reach 50 goals, achieving the feat in just 59 games.

   

Osimhen also joins an exclusive club of foreign talent to win the award, joining icons like Alex de Souza, Fernando Muslera, Enner Valencia, and Mauro Icardi.

Although Osimhen was unable to attend the gala in person due to recent arm surgery, his presence was felt through a heartfelt video message played for the audience.

“Thank you for the award,” Osimhen said. “I would like to thank my club Galatasaray, my fans, my teammates, my president, and my coach. I hope to return soon. Thank you.”

The trophy was accepted on his behalf by teammate and goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır, who praised the striker’s character and talent, noting, “Osimhen is a valuable footballer and a good person.”

Since his arrival from Napoli—initially on loan before making the move permanent—Osimhen has not only dominated on the field but has also driven a massive surge in Galatasaray’s global brand. Club Vice-President Ibrahim Hatipoglu recently credited the striker with elevating the club’s international profile to new heights.

With a trophy cabinet that now includes the Süper Lig Player of the Season, Goal of the Season (for his viral bicycle kick against Antalyaspor), and now the Milliyet Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen has officially conquered Turkish football.