Osimhen becomes the first African to win the title of GQ Türkiye Sportsman of the Year
Victor Osimhen is the first African to win the Sportsman of the Year award from GQ Türkiye.
Victor Osimhen, a striker for the Super Eagles, won the Sportsman of the Year title at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year celebration in Istanbul, adding yet another significant accomplishment to his already impressive career. With the historic victory, he became the first African to win a GQ Türkiye award in any category.
Osimhen’s transformational impact since joining Galatasaray, first on loan and then permanently, was highlighted at the esteemed event, which honors cultural influencers and exceptional achievers in entertainment, fashion, the arts, and sports.
Osimhen has given really amazing performances in Turkey.
He scored an incredible 37 goals and provided eight assists last season, helping Galatasaray win the Turkish Cup and the Super Lig. Only two other football players in the last ten years, Wesley Sneijder and Mauro Icardi, both Galatasaray greats in their own right, have received the same GQ Türkiye honor, making him unique.
His genius has continued into this season. Osimhen, who has 11 goals in 14 games, is still a key player in Galatasaray’s attempt to hold onto the top spot in the table. His position as one of the most important foreign players in Turkish football history has been solidified by his intense work ethic, precision finishing, and imposing presence.
Osimhen praised the Galatasaray community for welcoming him and thanked the organizers in his acceptance speech.
“I want to express my gratitude to GQ. I’ll never forget my Galatasaray relatives. For my family and me, this means a great deal. Everyone who has helped me up to this point is greatly appreciated. I’ll keep doing my hardest for Galatasaray, my family, and fans everywhere.
Osimhen’s path has been characterized by significant turning points.
He was the first Nigerian to win African Footballer of the Year since Nwankwo Kanu in 2023.
Osimhen continues to raise the bar for Nigerian football brilliance around the world with his record-breaking performance in Turkey and his title-winning heroics in Italy. He has solidified his status as one of Africa’s most significant modern-day athletes with his most recent GQ victory.
