Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has been crowned Footballer of the Year at the 72nd Annual Milliyet Sports Awards, one of Turkey’s most esteemed sporting honours.
The accolade recognises Osimhen’s pivotal contribution to Galatasaray S.K.’s remarkable domestic double in the recently concluded season, during which his goals and overall influence were instrumental in the club’s dominance of both the league and Turkish Cup.
The 72nd AXA Sigorta Milliyet Sports Awards, widely regarded as the “Oscars of sports” in Turkey, took place on Thursday evening, bringing together the country’s top athletes, coaches, and sporting figures.
With Osimhen absent due to recovery from arm surgery, teammate Uğurcan Çakır accepted the award on his behalf. Reflecting on his colleague’s achievement, Çakır said, “Osimhen is a valuable footballer, a good person. Next year, I’ll try to win this award myself.”
Osimhen, 27, expressed his gratitude via a message shared through a video played at the ceremony, “Thank you for the award. Using this opportunity, I would like to thank my club Galatasaray, my fans, my teammates, my president, and my coach. I hope to return soon. Thank you.”
Last season, the prolific striker scored 26 goals and registered four assists in 30 league outings, while also netting seven times in the UEFA Europa League and adding five goals in the Turkish Cup, underlining his status as one of Europe’s most consistent forwards.
Continuing his impressive form into the current campaign, Osimhen has already scored 19 goals and provided seven assists in 29 matches across all competitions, further solidifying his reputation both in Turkey and on the wider European stage.
