Victor Osimhen Shines in UEFA Champions League
In a stunning performance during the UEFA Champions League match on Wednesday, Victor Osimhen emerged as the top scorer of the tournament after netting three goals in Galatasaray’s convincing 3-0 triumph over Ajax in Amsterdam. The Nigerian forward has now tallied six goals this season, surpassing other notable players in the competition such as Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, who each have five.
Osimhen’s Hat Trick
The 26-year-old striker’s remarkable feat came just 20 minutes after entering the match, beginning with a header from a Leroy Sané cross that broke the deadlock in the 59th minute. Osimhen then secured his hat trick with a pair of spot kicks in the 66th and 78th minutes, leaving Ajax’s goalkeeper Remko Pasveer with no chance to stop him.
Record Transfer and Ambitions
Osimhen joined Galatasaray from Napoli for a record-setting fee of approximately €75 million ($86 million), solidifying his place as one of the most sought-after talents in the football world. Previously, clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli had expressed interest in acquiring him before he officially made the switch to the Turkish powerhouse in September 2024.
Osimhen’s Vision for the Future
Reflecting on his ambitions, Osimhen stated, “We have a goal. We know what we want, and we understand the levels of performance we need to achieve in the Champions League. We aspire to compete with the best teams. It won’t be easy, but we are committed to progressing step by step. We possess the individual talent to challenge any opponent.”
Impact on Galatasaray’s Season
His contributions have been pivotal to Galatasaray’s success this season, where he also netted the solitary goal in a 1-0 victory against Liverpool and scored twice in a 3-1 win against Bodø/Glimt. With nine points from their matches, Galatasaray currently holds ninth place halfway through the league phase, having celebrated three consecutive victories.
