GQ Turkey names Victor Osimhen sportsman of the year

Super Eagles striker and Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen has been honoured as the GQ Turkey Sportsman of the Year, receiving the award at a black-tie ceremony in Istanbul on Wednesday, Sport360NG reports.

The annual event, organised by the Turkish edition of GQ Magazine, celebrates exceptional achievers across sports, entertainment, and culture. Osimhen’s recognition comes on the back of a stellar debut season in Turkey, where he quickly became a fan favourite at Galatasaray.

The 26-year-old made an instant impact after joining the club, playing a decisive role in their domestic double last season. He scored 37 goals and provided seven assists in 41 appearances, powering Galatasaray to both the Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup. His performances were so influential that the club moved to sign him permanently from Napoli, breaking the Turkish transfer record with a €75m deal.

Although injuries have limited his appearances this season, Osimhen has maintained his scoring touch, registering 11 goals in 14 matches across all competitions.

For Nigeria, the forward has remained a key figure for the Super Eagles. After missing the early rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, he returned to score six goals in five matches, helping Nigeria reach the play-offs. He added two more goals in the semi-final win over Gabon, but an injury ruled him out of the decisive final against DR Congo, which Nigeria lost on penalties.

Osimhen is expected to lead Nigeria’s frontline at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled for 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

In his acceptance speech, Osimhen thanked GQ, Galatasaray and supporters worldwide.

“I want to say a big thank you to GQ. Can’t forget my Galatasaray family. This means so much to my family and me. 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,” he said.

The ceremony also recognised leading figures in various fields. Actor Aras Aydın was named International Achiever of the Year, actress Sinem Ünsal won Woman of the Year, British-Turkish singer Edis earned Music Person of the Year, and Bahtiyar Büyükduman was honoured as Chef of the Year. In all, 11 awards were presented on the night.