Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen is leading the race for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Golden Boot after scoring six goals in the group stage so far.
The Galatasaray striker delivered a standout performance on Wednesday night, November 5, netting his first Champions League hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Ajax. The 26-year-old became only the second Nigerian ever to score a hat-trick in the competition, joining Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who achieved the feat for Maccabi Haifa in 2002.
Osimhen’s first goal came in the 59th minute when he beat Ajax defender Josip Sutalo to head in Leroy Sane’s cross. He doubled the lead seven minutes later from the penalty spot after a handball by Youri Bass.
His third came in the 78th minute with another confident penalty strike that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
The Super Eagles forward has now scored in every Champions League game this season, helping Galatasaray secure three wins and nine points.
He also made history by becoming the first Galatasaray player to score braces in consecutive Champions League matches and has now netted 45 goals for the Turkish club, two more than his coach, Okan Buruk, managed during his playing career.
Osimhen currently sits at the top of the Champions League scoring chart with six goals. Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), and Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) follow closely with five goals each. Anthony Gordon, Lautaro Martinez, and Marcus Rashford are next with four.
With his latest performance, Osimhen also became Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, surpassing Obafemi Martins’ record of 23 goals.
After the match, Osimhen expressed joy over his achievement and praised his teammates for their teamwork and focus, saying the team’s spirit was key to their success in Amsterdam.
At 26, Victor Osimhen is not just chasing the Champions League Golden Boot, he’s proving he belongs among Europe’s very best.