Victor Osimhen has added another prestigious accolade to his name after being crowned GQ Turkey Sportsman of the Year at a black-tie ceremony in Istanbul on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Nigerian striker, now a talismanic presence at Galatasaray, was honoured for a sensational 2024/25 campaign in which he powered the club to a domestic double during his loan spell from Napoli.
GQ Turkey, the local edition of the global culture and lifestyle brand, confers the awards annually on leading figures across sports, entertainment and business. Osimhen’s recognition followed a stellar season in which he scored 37 goals and provided seven assists in 41 matches, driving Galatasaray to the Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup. His performances convinced the club to activate a permanent deal in the summer, breaking their transfer record with a €75m signing.
Although injuries have punctuated his current 2025/26 campaign, Osimhen has remained prolific, netting 11 goals in 14 appearances so far.
His influence has also been evident on the international stage. After missing the opening rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, he returned to score six goals in five games, guiding Nigeria to the inter-confederation play-offs. He struck twice in the semi-final against Gabon before an injury forced him off in the decisive tie against DR Congo, where the Super Eagles suffered a penalty shootout defeat that ended their qualification hopes.
Attention now shifts to Osimhen’s leadership role as Nigeria prepares for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, kicking off December 21, where the three-time champions chase a fourth continental title.
In his acceptance speech, Osimhen described the award as deeply meaningful.
“I want to say a big thank you to GQ. I can’t forget my Galatasaray family. This means so much to my family and me,” he said. “I appreciate everyone who has supported me up to this hour. I will continue to do my best for my family, for Galatasaray, and for the fans all over the world.”
The ceremony also recognised several prominent personalities, including actor Aras Aydın (International Achiever of the Year), actress Sinem Ünsal (Woman of the Year), singer Edis (Music Person of the Year) and chef Bahtiyar Büyükduman (Chef of the Year), alongside 11 other honourees from Turkey’s creative and business sectors.
Osimhen’s rise—from the streets of Lagos to European stardom—has been defined by his resilience. After early years at Wolfsburg and breakout spells at Charleroi and Lille, he became a global star at Napoli, winning the Serie A title and the Capocannoniere award in 2022/23. His move to Galatasaray, following a strained end to his time in Naples, has since revived his form and bolstered his legacy.
Osimhen’s GQ Turkey
Sportsman of the Year award encapsulates a year of contrasting emotions—club triumph, World Cup qualifying heartbreak, and now, individual distinction.