Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been named Sportsman of the Year at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, Soccernet.ng reports.
The honour, presented on Wednesday night in Istanbul, places him in rare company and highlights the scale of his impact since arriving in Turkey.
The Nigerian forward, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Galatasaray before making the move permanent this summer, has delivered performances that have not only elevated the club on the pitch but also won him acclaim off it.
Victor Osimhen wins GQ Turkiye's Man of the Year award, 2025. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/C8hQbOiaC4
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) December 10, 2025
With this award, he becomes the first Nigerian ever to win a GQ Türkiye Men of the Year category, and only the third footballer in a decade to take the Sportsman accolade, after Wesley Sneijder in 2016 and Mauro Icardi in 2023.
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Victor Osimhen: Galatasaray’s relentless driving force
Osimhen’s rise to this latest honour is deeply tied to his transformative effect in Istanbul.
Last season, the 26-year-old scored 37 goals and registered eight assists, leading Galatasaray to a commanding Super Lig title and a decisive Turkish Cup triumph. His influence was so emphatic that he quickly became the club’s priority signing, prompting a record-breaking permanent transfer once his loan spell concluded.
The current campaign has continued in the same ferocious rhythm. Osimhen has already struck 11 goals in 14 matches, helping Galatasaray retain top spot as they chase back-to-back league crowns. His blend of power, instinct, and consistency has not only made him a fan favourite in Turkey but also reaffirmed his status as one of world football’s most potent strikers.
Reacting to his award, Osimhen expressed gratitude to GQ Türkiye and the Galatasaray community.
“I want to say a big thank you to GQ. Can’t forget my Galatasaray family. This means so much to me and my family. I appreciate everyone who has supported me up to this hour. I will continue to do my best for my family, for Galatasaray, for the fans all over the world.”
Victor Osimhen, GQ Türkiye – Yılın Sporcusu ödülünü aldı.
— Le Marca Sports (@lemarcaspors_) December 10, 2025
Victor Osimhen: “Yaşasın Galatasaray” pic.twitter.com/D4DaCGqQKD
For a player long accustomed to lifting trophies and breaking barriers, this latest accolade fits comfortably into a career stacked with milestones.
In 2023, Osimhen was crowned African Footballer of the Year, the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. He finished eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings that same year, becoming the first Nigerian to break into the top 10.
His journey from Lagos to Wolfsburg, Charleroi, Lille, Napoli, and now Istanbul has been marked by upward momentum and relentless ambition. He holds multiple Golden Boot honours, including five career top-scorer awards, and has won league titles in both Italy and Turkey. He is also Nigeria’s second all-time leading goalscorer and a global figure whose influence continues to expand.
