Victor Osimhen EA FC 26. [Photo Credit/ Imago
Victor Osimhen has been ranked among UEFA’s top statistical performers for the week following his sensational display in Galatasaray’s 3–1 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian striker scored twice and helped create the third as Galatasaray cruised past the Norwegian champions in Istanbul on Wednesday night. His first goal came just before the third minute, the fastest goal ever scored by a Galatasaray player in Champions League history.
That strike was also his ninth in his last seven European matches, making him the first Cimbom player in 13 years to score in seven consecutive continental fixtures. Unsurprisingly, he walked away with the Man of the Match award.
According to UEFA’s statistical breakdown, Osimhen fired seven shots on target, more than any other player in the competition this week.
The governing body’s data also listed Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal as the top dribbler (11 dribbles), Liverpool’s Curtis Jones as the most accurate passer (120 completed passes), and Chelsea’s Estavio for most runs into the penalty area (six). Qarabag’s Kady Borges led ball recoveries (13), while Kairat’s Aleksandr Martynovich topped the charts for key area deliveries (16).
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Victor Osimhen: UEFA Team of the Week snub
Despite his statistical dominance and record-breaking exploits, Osimhen was controversially omitted from UEFA’s official Team of the Week.
Instead, the governing body opted for Athletic Bilbao’s Gorka Guruzeta, who also scored twice in a 3–1 win over Qarabag, alongside PSV’s Dennis Man and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon in attack.
The midfield featured Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha, and Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl, while PSG’s Nuno Mendes, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, and Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries made up the back line. Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario, who registered eight saves against Monaco, was named goalkeeper of the week.
Osimhen’s omission has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, particularly as his performance rating on Sofascore (9.8) was higher than Guruzeta’s (9.5). Moreover, the Nigerian faced a sterner challenge in Bodo/Glimt compared to the Spanish striker’s outing against Qarabag.
While the UEFA snub may sting, Osimhen’s focus remains fixed on maintaining his blistering form, both in the Turkish Super Lig and on the European stage, as Galatasaray continue their impressive Champions League campaign.