ISTANBUL, Dec. 11, 2025 – Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was crowned GQ Türkiye Sportsman of the Year at a glamorous black-tie ceremony held Wednesday night at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, becoming the first Nigerian ever to receive the prestigious award and only the third footballer in twelve years to claim the honor.
The 26-year-old Galatasaray forward, who arrived in Istanbul on a dramatic season-long loan from Napoli in September 2024 before signing permanently for a Turkish-record €75 million last summer, accepted the trophy to a standing ovation from Turkey’s entertainment and sports elite. Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo designed by Arzu Kaprol, Osimhen thanked his club, his family, and the Galatasaray supporters before raising a fist and shouting “Yaşasın Galatasaray!” — a chant that sent the room into raptures.
The award recognizes Osimhen’s extraordinary contribution to Galatasaray’s domestic double in the 2024-25 season: 37 goals and 7 assists in just 41 appearances across all competitions, powering the Lions to both the Süper Lig title (where he finished top scorer with 26 goals) and the Turkish Cup. His stunning bicycle kick against Antalyaspor was voted Goal of the Season, while his five goals in the cup final sealed a historic triumph.
Despite battling injuries this campaign, Osimhen has lost none of his lethal edge. He has already scored 11 goals in 14 matches, including a hat-trick against Ajax in the Champions League — a performance that made him Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer in European club competitions (25 goals) and extended his club-record streak of scoring in eight straight continental games. He currently leads the 2025-26 Champions League scoring charts with six goals, one ahead of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
The gala, hosted by actors Erkan Kolçak Köstendil and Şükran Ovalı, celebrated Turkish and international talent across multiple categories. Actress Sinem Ünsal was named Woman of the Year, Mert Yazıcıoğlu took Actor of the Year for his role in “Kuruluş: Orhan,” and veteran artist Mazhar Alanson received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Emotional highlights included actor Aras Aydın breaking down in tears while dedicating his International Achiever prize to his late father, and rising star Burak Dakak accepting his award from fiancée Leyla Tanlar and veteran Demet Akbağ.
Osimhen’s journey to this stage has been nothing short of cinematic. Born and raised in the Olusosun slums of Lagos, he lost his mother at a young age and sold bottled water on the streets to help his family. Discovered at 14 by Ultimate Strikers Academy, he exploded onto the global scene by winning the Golden Boot at the 2015 U-17 World Cup with a record 10 goals. Stints at Wolfsburg, Charleroi, and Lille followed before Napoli paid €80 million in 2020 — still Africa’s most expensive transfer. There he delivered the 2022-23 Serie A title after 33 years, earning African Footballer of the Year, Serie A Player of the Season, and the Capocannoniere as the league’s top scorer.
For Nigeria’s Super Eagles, he is joint-second on the all-time scoring list with 23 goals in 44 caps. A thigh injury forced him to miss much of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, but he remains the undisputed talisman of the national team.
Off the pitch, Osimhen is known for his humility and philanthropy. He regularly funds youth academies in Nigeria, mentors young players, and has spoken openly about honoring Didier Drogba’s legacy both on and off the field. Father to daughter Haly (born 2022), he switched from Nike to Adidas last year in a multi-million-euro deal and is currently valued at over €100 million — placing him among the world football’s elite.
As Galatasaray chase an unprecedented treble this season — sitting top of the Süper Lig and advancing in Europe — Osimhen’s name is already etched alongside club legends Hakan Şükür and Metin Oktay. Yet the striker insists his story is far from finished. “I’m ready to go through everything with this club,” he said upon signing his long-term contract.
For a boy who once hawked water under Lagos traffic lights, Wednesday night in Istanbul represented more than an award. It was proof that the beautiful game, when paired with relentless hunger, can lift someone from the margins to the very center of the world stage.
