Victor Osimhen edges Lookman, Babangida in new UCL record as Galatasaray beat Liverpool

Victor Osimhen has set a new record for the most goal involvements by a Nigerian player in a single UEFA Champions League season after Galatasaray secured a 1–0 win over Liverpool, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles striker had eight goal contributions (seven goals and one assist) in the competition this season, surpassing the previous Nigerian benchmarks set by Tijani Babangida, Yakubu Ayegbeni, and John Utaka.

Victor Osimhen sets new UCL goal involvement record

According to statistics shared by Opta, Osimhen’s eight goal involvements are the highest by any Nigerian player in a single Champions League campaign.

The 27-year-old now sits alone at the top of the list after surpassing several Nigerian stars who previously shared the record.

8 – Victor Osimhen has been involved in eight goals in the @ChampionsLeague this season (7G 1A), the most ever by a Nigerian player in a single UCL campaign.

Most Goal Involvements (single season):

8 – Victor Osimhen (25/26)
6 – Ademola Lookman (24/25)
6 – Tijani Babangida… pic.twitter.com/r2Ti3HCGS8

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 10, 2026

Osimhen’s eight goal involvements in the 2025/26 Champions League campaign move him ahead of Ademola Lookman, who recorded six in the 2024/25 season, as well as Tijani Babangida, Yakubu Ayegbeni, and John Utaka, who each managed six goal contributions in the 1996/97 and 2002/03 editions, respectively.

Osimhen’s historic campaign has been central to Galatasaray’s progress in Europe this season, with the striker delivering decisive goals and assists during the group stage and knockout rounds.

The record further strengthens Osimhen’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most influential attacking players in the Champions League era.

How Victor Osimhen performed in Galatasaray’s win over Liverpool

Osimhen started up front for Galatasaray in their Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash against Liverpool at RAMS Park in Istanbul.

While the Nigerian striker did not add to his goal tally, he played a key role in the decisive moment of the match. His header from a corner helped create the opening that allowed Mario Lemina to score the winning goal in the seventh minute.

Osimhen remained a constant attacking outlet throughout the game, pressing Liverpool’s defence and challenging them in aerial duels as the Turkish champions protected their early advantage.

Liverpool dominated possession for long periods but struggled to break down Galatasaray’s defence, allowing the hosts to secure a narrow 1–0 victory ahead of the return leg at Anfield.

The emotional night in Istanbul also followed a touching pre-match moment, when Galatasaray fans unveiled a banner honouring Osimhen’s late mother before kick-off.

With the second leg still to come, Osimhen will have further opportunities to extend his historic Champions League record and push Galatasaray closer to the quarter-finals.