Victor Osimhen’s 26-goal season cements his status in Turkey

Victor Osimhen is currently dominating the search trends in Turkey, and for good reason: the 27-year-old Nigerian forward has transformed the Süper Lig landscape since his arrival. His clinical efficiency has been the engine behind Galatasaray’s recent domestic surge, underscored by a prolific campaign that sees him sitting comfortably among the league’s elite finishers. With 26 total goals across all major competitions this season, Osimhen has proven that his transition to Istanbul was not merely a temporary stop, but a masterclass in high-stakes attacking output that has kept his market value and reputation at a premium.

What the numbers say

Osimhen’s statistical profile for the 2025-26 season reflects a player operating at the peak of his physical and technical powers. In the Süper Lig, he currently ranks 5th in the top scorers' chart, having registered 15 goals and 5 assists in 22 appearances. This efficiency—contributing to a goal roughly every game—has been vital for Galatasaray’s consistency.

His influence, however, has not been confined to domestic borders. On the European stage, Osimhen has been a standout performer in the UEFA Champions League, where he ranks 9th among the competition's top scorers. Over the course of 10 appearances in the tournament, he has tallied 7 goals and 2 assists, proving he can translate his domestic form against the continent's most disciplined defenses. Furthermore, his international pedigree remains intact; during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he finished as the 3rd highest scorer, netting 4 goals and providing 2 assists in 6 matches.

The narrative of his recent career is defined by mobility. Following his loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray in September 2024, he has navigated a complex path, including a return to Napoli in July 2025 before finalizing a permanent transfer back to Galatasaray later that same month. This administrative turbulence has done nothing to dampen his output, as he continues to function as a primary focal point for any side he represents.

Recent form

Osimhen’s form over the last five matches highlights a player who thrives in high-pressure environments. His most recent outing on 09 May 2026 saw him secure a brace in Galatasaray’s 4-2 victory over Antalyaspor, converting a penalty in the 66th minute before adding a second goal in the 88th minute.

This performance followed a string of decisive contributions against the league’s toughest opposition. On 26 April 2026, he opened the scoring in a 3-0 demolition of Fenerbahçe with a goal in the 40th minute. Prior to that, he was the difference-maker in a 3-0 win against Başakşehir on 14 March 2026, finding the net in the 66th minute. His ability to perform in derby settings was further evidenced on 07 March 2026, when he scored the only goal of the game in the 39th minute to secure a 1-0 win against Beşiktaş. His scoring streak extends back to 28 February 2026, where he contributed a goal in the 83rd minute of a 3-1 win over Alanyaspor. Across these five matches, Osimhen has been directly responsible for a significant portion of his team's attacking success, rarely going a full 90 minutes without leaving his mark on the scoreboard.

What's next

As the 2025-26 season reaches its crescendo, the focus shifts to how Osimhen maintains this trajectory. Having secured his permanent move to Galatasaray in July 2025, the forward is now firmly embedded in the club’s long-term tactical structure. With 26 goals already in the bag across his primary competitions, he is currently operating at a rate that few strikers in Europe can match. The tactical implication is clear: Galatasaray’s reliance on his movement and finishing ability is total. As he approaches his late twenties, the question remains whether this sustained output in the Süper Lig will serve as a springboard for another move to a top-five European league, or if he has found a permanent home in Istanbul.

Can Osimhen sustain this level of output if Galatasaray faces a more rigorous defensive schedule in the next phase of European competition?