By Boluwatife Kehinde
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen etched his name into the history books on Tuesday night, becoming the first Nigerian player ever to reach double figures in the UEFA Champions League.
The 26-year-old achieved the milestone with a decisive goal that secured Galatasaray’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool at Rams Park.
Osimhen’s moment of glory came in the first half when he coolly converted a penalty against Arne Slot’s men, delivering a result that stunned the visitors and sent Galatasaray fans into raptures.
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While the win itself was crucial for the Turkish giants’ Champions League campaign, the occasion carried an even greater significance for the Nigerian forward.
His strike against Liverpool was his 10th goal in the competition, making him Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in Europe’s elite club tournament.
Before Tuesday’s clash, Osimhen had been tied on nine goals with former Inter Milan star Obafemi Martins. By stepping up and scoring against one of Europe’s most formidable teams, he not only pulled clear of Martins but also wrote a new chapter for Nigerian football.
His tally now stands at 10 goals in just 18 Champions League appearances, spread across three different clubs — Lille (2 goals), Napoli (7 goals), and Galatasaray (1 goal).
The achievement puts Osimhen ahead of some of Nigeria’s most celebrated names in the competition. He has surpassed the likes of Victor Ikpeba (7), Ahmed Musa (6), Nwankwo Kanu (5), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (5), Ademola Lookman (5), and Samuel Chukwueze (4).
With several years still ahead in his career, the Galatasaray striker looks poised to extend his record and create a benchmark for future Nigerian stars to chase.
Speaking after the game, an emotional Osimhen hailed his teammates and expressed his pride at being part of Galatasaray’s triumph.
“Congratulations to the team, it was a very tough opponent. Many people didn’t believe we would win, except for the people you see here,” he said. “For me, this is the biggest team in the world! It was a big win for Galatasaray and for me personally.”
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Osimhen’s record-breaking strike not only lifted Galatasaray to a famous win but also cemented his status as Nigeria’s leading light on Europe’s grandest stage.
