Nigeria and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen. Photo by IMAGO
Ajax manager John Heitinga has likened Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and AC Milan great Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as his team prepares to face Galatasaray in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash in Amsterdam, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen has built a fearsome reputation across Europe after successful stints with Lille, Napoli, and now Galatasaray, where his physical strength, pace, and direct attacking style have drawn comparisons to Drogba. Even Victor Osimhen has often spoken fondly of the positive influence Drogba had on his career as a young boy growing on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria.
However, Heitinga’s remarks is the first time a prominent technical director has drawn parallels between Osimhen and Ibrahimovic; a player renowned for his audacious skill, leadership, and longevity.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Heitinga said:
“If I were to compare Osimhen to someone, it would be these two people; one is Drogba, the other Ibrahimovic. He’s both strong and fast, and his physique is very good. We need to watch out for him.”
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Victor Osimhen: Galatasaray’s record-breaking star
Osimhen’s time in Turkey has already been record-shattering. During his loan spell with Galatasaray last season, he scored 37 goals in all competitions. The Nigerian forward’s goal powered the club to both the Turkish Super Lig title and the domestic cup, ending an 11-year wait for a league-and-cup double.
That form earned him a permanent move to the Istanbul giants after Premier League sides such as Chelsea and Manchester United balked at Napoli’s €75 million asking price and the player’s wage demands. What looked like hesitation from England’s biggest clubs turned into Galatasaray’s gain and Turkey’s most expensive transfer ever.
Osimhen has started repaying Galatasaray with his exploits in Europe.
The former Wolfsburg star became Galatasaray’s fastest-ever goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League with his early strike against Bodo/Glimt and went on to score in seven consecutive European matches, a club record that cut his name into Turkish football history.
Osimhen also scored the decisive goal against Liverpool as Galatasaray won back-to-back games in the Champions League for the first time in 13 years.
A goal and a win against Ajax in Amsterdam would see Victor Osimhen and Galatasaray rewrite a few more lines in the record books on Wednesday.