Victor Osimhen cemented his status as Nigeria’s most prolific marksman in European football this season, scoring a fantastic hat-trick in Galatasaray’s 4-0 demolition of Antalyaspor on Friday. The 26-year-old’s ruthless treble not only fired him to the Süper Lig scoring summit (20 goals) but also solidified his position as the current highest-scoring Nigerian across Europe’s top leagues in 2024/25 ongoing campaign.
Osimhen’s Record-Breaking Night
The Super Eagles star opened the floodgates in style as he broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, coolly slotting home from Álvaro Morata’s incisive cut-back. Morata then turned scorer just before halftime, converting a penalty after a handball decision to double Galatasaray’s lead. The hosts struck again moments later in first-half stoppage time, with Osimhen tapping home from close range a Barış Yılmaz’s pinpoint low cross to cap a devastating 15-minute spell.
The 26-year-old completed his hat-trick seven minutes after the restart, Latching onto Yunus Akgün’s pinpoint through ball, he unleashed a powerful low drive that beat the goalkeeper with ease. The strike marked his 20th league goal in just 22 appearances, making him the first player to hit the milestone in the Süper Lig this season.
By the Numbers: A Nigerian Giant in Europe
- 26 goals in 30 games for Galatasaray since his Napoli loan move — the most by any Nigerian in Europe this term.
- 20 league goals in 22 appearances, surpassing fellow Super Eagles team mates like Ademola Lookman (Serie A) and Victor Boniface (Bundesliga) in the scoring charts.
- 5 assists — proving he’s more than just a finisher.
What This Means
Galatasaray’s title charge burns brighter after this statement win, but Osimhen’s legacy now transcends Istanbul. By outscoring every Nigerian star in Europe’s top five leagues, he’s etched his name into national folklore — and with 9 Süper Lig games left, the 30-goal mark looks inevitable.
Fan Reaction:
“One of the most hardworking footballers of this generation” tweeted @OneJoblessBoy, capturing the mood of a nation rallying behind their record-breaking talisman.
What’s Next?
Galatasaray’s emphatic win tightens their grip on the top spot of the Turkish league, while Osimhen will now jet off to join Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad as his blistering form would prove pivotal in upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda (March 24) and Zimbabwe (March 27).
