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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been named the 2026 Milliyet Footballer of the Year, capping a remarkable year for the Nigerian forward in Turkey, Afrik-Foot reports.
The Milliyet Sports Awards, among Turkey’s oldest and most prestigious sporting honours, have never before recognised a Nigerian player. Osimhen also becomes only the fifth non-Turkish recipient, joining the likes of Alex de Souza, Fernando Muslera, Enner Valencia, and Mauro Icardi.
Since joining Galatasaray, the 27-year-old has transformed the club’s attack and quickly established himself as a fan favourite in Istanbul. His influence was most evident in the 2024–25 season, when he guided the club to a domestic double, winning both the Turkish Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup.
Osimhen finished that season with 37 goals and seven assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, placing him among the world’s most prolific forwards. He also clinched the Süper Lig Golden Boot with 26 league goals, becoming the first Nigerian to top the scoring charts in Turkey’s top flight. In doing so, he broke Mário Jardel’s long-standing record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single Turkish season.
His performances have earned him widespread recognition in Turkey. In December 2025, Osimhen was named Sportsman of the Year at the GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, marking another historic first for a Nigerian.
Over the past year, he has also collected multiple individual honours, including Süper Lig Player of the Season and Galatasaray’s Player of the Season, reflecting his consistency and influence both in the league and at the club level.
One of the highlights of his campaign came with a stunning bicycle kick against Antalyaspor, which was later voted Goal of the Season, further cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting talents in Turkish football.
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