Osimhen Ends 2025 as Nigeria’s Top Scorer Shares Fifth Spot Globally With Messi -Gossip News Now

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Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen closed 2025 in outstanding form, finishing as Nigeria’s leading goalscorer and ranking among the world’s top forwards.

Across club and international duty, Osimhen found the back of the net 46 times in 52 appearances, placing him joint fifth globally alongside eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. Notably, Osimhen achieved the same tally as Messi in two fewer matches, highlighting his efficiency in front of goal.

Only four players outscored him worldwide: Kylian Mbappé with 66 goals, Harry Kane with 60, Erling Haaland with 57, and SSC’s Kevin Hernández with 48.

Osimhen’s impressive year included nine goals in 10 appearances for Nigeria, while his club form for Galatasaray was equally prolific. He opened 2025 with a strike against Göztepe on January 4 and concluded the year with a goal in the 4-1 win over Antalyaspor on December 13, shortly before joining the Super Eagles for AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

His scoring exploits were instrumental in Galatasaray securing a league and cup double, earning Osimhen the Turkish Süper Lig golden boot and capping a remarkable run across the 2024/2025 season and the early months of 2025/2026.

Behind Osimhen in Nigeria’s scoring rankings were Cyriel Dessers with 22 goals for Rangers and Panathinaikos, Paul Onuachu with 15 at Trabzonspor, Tolu Arokodare with 14—including his first for the Super Eagles after joining Wolverhampton Wanderers—and Ademola Lookman with 13, whose contributions were limited by injuries and a mid-season transfer.