In a historic night for Turkish football, Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been named the Footballer of the Year at the prestigious 72nd Milliyet Sports Awards.

Often referred to as the “Oscars of Turkish sports,” the ceremony held on Thursday night cemented the Nigerian international’s status as the dominant force in the Süper Lig.

Osimhen’s victory is a landmark achievement, as he becomes the first-ever Nigerian to win the award in its seven-decade history. He joins an elite group of only five non-Turkish players to have received the honor, following in the footsteps of legends like Alex de Souza, Fernando Muslera, and Mauro Icardi.

The award serves as a crowning achievement for a record-breaking campaign. Since arriving at Galatasaray, Osimhen has been virtually unplayable, spearheading the club’s charge to a domestic double.

Finished the league season with 26 goals and 4 assists in just 30 appearances

His 26 league goals set a new record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single Turkish season, surpassing the long-standing mark held by Mário Jardel.

Osimhen was unable to attend the gala in person as he continues his recovery from recent arm surgery. His Galatasaray teammate and goalkeeper, Uğurcan Çakır, accepted the trophy on his behalf.

“Osimhen is a valuable footballer and a good person,” Çakır said during the presentation. “He has brought so much to this team. Next year, I’ll try to win this award myself!”

In a heartfelt video message played for the audience, a delighted Osimhen expressed his gratitude:
“Thank you for this award. I want to thank my club Galatasaray, the fans, my teammates, the president, and my coach. I hope to return to the pitch very soon. Thank you.”

This latest accolade adds to an increasingly crowded trophy cabinet for the 27-year-old. Just months ago, Osimhen was also named Sportsman of the Year at the GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, further highlighting his cultural impact in Turkey beyond just the football pitch

With rumors of a permanent transfer from Napoli constantly swirling, this award serves as a powerful reminder of why the “masked striker” remains one of the most coveted talents in world football. For now, Istanbul belongs to Victor Osimhen.