Victor Osimhen’s 30 goal involvements demand more respect at Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen ended Galatasaray’s 2025/26 campaign with 22 goals and eight assists in 33 official appearances. He also produced seven goals and three assists in 10 UEFA Champions League matches, reinforcing the case for greater respect for the Nigeria striker.

His domestic figures were just as influential. Osimhen scored 15 times and supplied five assists in 22 Süper Lig appearances, helping Galatasaray secure the league title. Across all competitions, his 30 direct contributions came despite a campaign disrupted by a painful ankle sprain and a fractured forearm.

The Nigerian forward also delivered when the level rose. His Champions League run included a hat-trick against Ajax, two goals against Bodo/Glimt and a damaging performance against Juventus. Those displays gave Galatasaray a reliable source of goals on some of the biggest nights of the season.

Osimhen has carried that scoring form into the 2026/27 campaign. On August 14, 2026, he scored twice in Galatasaray’s opening league fixture against Corum FK, with both goals confirmed by VAR. The performance gave him an immediate start to the new season despite the physical problems that affected his previous campaign.

The numbers have kept the debate around Osimhen focused on his production rather than the questions raised by rival supporters about his temperament or valuation. They also explain the reported interest from Arsenal, who are involved in discussions with Galatasaray over a possible move before the transfer deadline.

At 27, Osimhen has already shown that he can maintain a high scoring level in different European settings. His 2025/26 record, combined with his early goals in the new campaign, gives Galatasaray a strong sporting reason to place a premium on his services and gives the striker a clear statistical answer to his critics.