ISTANBUL (BN24) — Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has etched his name into history, becoming the country’s all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League after scoring for Galatasaray in their 1-0 win over Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles striker converted a 16th-minute penalty, taking his tally in the competition to 10 goals, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Nigerian legend Obafemi Martins, who starred for Inter Milan and Newcastle United.
Osimhen’s Champions League journey began in 2019 with French side Lille, where he netted his first goal against Chelsea. His move to Napoli saw his continental tally grow, and now with Galatasaray, he has reached double figures, solidifying his place as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards in Europe’s premier club competition.
The 24-year-old’s rise in European football has been meteoric. In addition to his Champions League exploits, Osimhen has been a standout performer in domestic leagues. He became the first African to win the Serie A Golden Boot, scoring 26 goals for Napoli during the 2022/23 season. In the same year, Osimhen was named the CAF African Footballer of the Year, making history as the first Nigerian to win the prestigious award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Osimhen’s landmark goal against Liverpool is just the latest chapter in his extraordinary career. As he continues to break records and win accolades, his legacy in Nigerian football is only growing stronger.
