Champions League top scorer: Osimhen topples Mbappé, Haaland
Victor Osimhen struck a stunning hat trick to guide Galatasaray to a 3-0 victory over Ajax on Wednesday, sending the Turkish champions’ record signing to the top of the UEFA Champions League scoring chart with six goals this season.
The 26-year-old Nigeria international, who joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli in the summer for a Turkish Super Lig record fee of around €75 million ($86 million), needed less than 20 minutes to complete his first Champions League hat trick.
Osimhen opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a towering header from a Leroy Sané cross, before converting two precise penalties in the 66th and 78th minutes that left Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer rooted. The victory leaves Galatasaray on nine points after three consecutive group-stage wins.
“We have a goal. We know what we want, and we know the magnitude of performance you need in the Champions League,” Osimhen told Galatasaray TV. “We want to match up with the elite. It won’t be easy, but we’ll go step by step. We have the individual quality to do damage to every team.”
Osimhen’s prolific form in Europe has underlined Galatasaray’s ambitious recruitment strategy following his permanent move from Napoli, where he had been a key figure in their Serie A title-winning side. His combination of pace, strength, and finishing has transformed the Istanbul club’s attack, providing a focal point that has proved decisive in both domestic and continental competition.
The forward has now scored in each of Galatasaray’s Champions League fixtures this season, including decisive goals against Liverpool and Bodø/Glimt. His total of six goals puts him ahead of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Before finalizing his switch to Turkey, Osimhen had drawn interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Saudi club Al Ahli. He ultimately joined Galatasaray initially on loan in September 2024, helping the club capture a domestic league and cup double with 31 goals in all competitions before making the move permanent this summer.
For Galatasaray, Osimhen’s impact extends beyond the goals. His presence symbolizes the club’s renewed ambition to re-establish itself among Europe’s elite after several seasons outside the top tier of continental contention. For Osimhen, meanwhile, his Champions League exploits have further cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s most complete center-forwards.