- Victor Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian to win Türkiye Sportsman of the Year.
- Award presented at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year ceremony in Istanbul.
- Recognition follows his record-breaking season with Galatasaray.
- Osimhen thanks GQ Türkiye and his Galatasaray family in emotional speech.
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has added another major honour to his growing list of achievements after winning the Sportsman of the Year award at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year ceremony held in Istanbul. The award marks a historic moment, making him the first Nigerian ever to win any category at the GQ Türkiye awards.
The event, formerly known as the GQ Men of the Year Awards, celebrates individuals who have shaped culture, inspired millions, and excelled across fields such as entertainment, fashion, art, and sport within Turkey. Osimhen’s victory underlines the remarkable influence he has had since arriving at Galatasaray, first on loan and later on a permanent transfer.
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His time in the Turkish Super Lig has been nothing short of electric. Last season, he delivered a phenomenal 37 goals and eight assists, leading Galatasaray to both the Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup. That performance placed him in elite company, making him only the third footballer in a decade to win the GQ Türkiye Sportsman award, joining Wesley Sneijder and Mauro Icardi, both former Galatasaray icons.
This season has continued along the same trajectory. Osimhen has already scored 11 goals in 14 matches, driving Galatasaray’s push to maintain top spot on the table. His mix of relentless intensity, sharp finishing, and natural leadership has made him one of the most impactful foreign players in Turkish football history.
In his acceptance speech, Osimhen expressed his gratitude to the organisers and the Galatasaray community.
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“I want to say a big thank you to GQ. I 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, and for fans all over the world.”
Osimhen’s journey has consistently been marked by firsts. He was named the African Footballer of the Year in 2023, the first Nigerian to win it since Nwankwo Kanu and became the first Nigerian in history to finish inside the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or, placing eighth. From Italy to Turkey, he has won league titles, broken scoring records, and redefined what Nigerian football excellence looks like on the global stage.
