The distinguished Victor Osimhen, celebrated forward for both Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Turkish giants Galatasaray, has been officially honored with the prestigious title of Gentlemen Quarterly Sportsman of the Year in Turkey.
The acclaimed 26-year-old striker was presented with this coveted accolade at an elegant, formal black-tie gala event, which unfolded in the vibrant city of Istanbul this past Wednesday.
This significant recognition, an annual fixture orchestrated by the Turkish division of GQ Magazine – a globally renowned publication at the forefront of men’s fashion and lifestyle – serves to celebrate exceptional talents and highlight remarkable individuals across a diverse spectrum of fields, encompassing sports, musical arts, and cinematic endeavors.
Since his initial arrival, the 26-year-old has swiftly transformed into a cherished icon among the fervent Galatasaray faithful, playing a pivotal and instrumental role in the club’s remarkable national supremacy.
During his inaugural season with the team, Osimhen merited this esteemed distinction owing to his extraordinary impact and stellar performances for Galatasaray. He achieved an astonishing feat, netting 37 goals and providing seven crucial assists across 41 competitive appearances, thereby helping the club to clinch both the Super Lig championship and the Turkish Cup titles.
His outstanding displays further compelled Galatasaray to shatter the existing Turkish transfer fee benchmark, committing a colossal €75 million to secure his full-time acquisition from Napoli.
Even though he has been somewhat hampered by physical setbacks this current season, Osimhen has nonetheless maintained his formidable prowess, registering an impressive tally of 11 goals in just 14 competitive fixtures across all tournaments.
On the international stage, the prolific striker has consistently remained a preeminent player for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, even despite the profound letdown of their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After being sidelined for the initial four matches of the qualifiers, Osimhen made a triumphant return, registering an impressive six goals across five appearances and instrumentally guiding the squad towards the decisive play-off stage.
He continued to sustain his impactful contributions in the knockout phase, notably scoring twice against Gabon in the semi-final. However, an unfortunate and ill-timed injury tragically impeded his involvement in the pivotal championship match against DR Congo, where Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations were cruelly shattered following a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat.
Looking ahead, Osimhen is widely anticipated to lead the formidable offensive line of the Super Eagles as they pursue their ambition of securing a fourth continental championship at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled from December 21 to January 18, 2026.
Following his acceptance of the award, Osimhen conveyed his profound appreciation, articulating his heartfelt thanks to the event organizers, his club, and the unwavering supporters during his impassioned address.
“I want to express my sincere acknowledgment to GQ,” he stated. “I cannot overlook my Galatasaray family. This honor holds immense significance for my family and me. I deeply appreciate everyone who has supported me up to this very moment.”
He further pledged, “I will continue to dedicate myself wholeheartedly for my family, for Galatasaray, and for the fans across the globe.”
The illustrious event also paid tribute to an array of other distinguished individuals. The Turkish actor Aras Aydın was specifically bestowed with the title of International Achiever of the Year, while the talented Turkish actress Sinem Ünsal was honored with the Woman of the Year award.
The British-Turkish singer-songwriter Edis was recognized as the recipient of the Music Person of the Year, and the esteemed Bahtiyar Büyükduman was designated as the Chef of the Year.
In total, a grand count of 11 additional awards were meticulously presented throughout the elaborate ceremony, effectively underscoring accomplishments and celebrating successes across a diverse spectrum of industries within Turkey.
