Osimhen vows to lead Galatasaray’s UCL charge

Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen says he is fully ready to spearhead the Turkish giant’s push for European glory, declaring that the club is entering the Champions League with a renewed sense of ambition and belief.

The Nigerian striker, who joined permanently after a sensational loan spell last season, told UEFA in an interview cited by PUNCH Online that both he and the club have set a clear target: “make a statement” on Europe’s grandest stage.

“I spoke with the president the day I arrived,” Osimhen said. “We agreed this club has dominated Turkey for years. Now we want to show the world that Galatasaray belong among Europe’s elite.”

His conviction comes as no surprise to those who have followed his career. Osimhen’s rise—from selling sachet water in Olusosun, Lagos, to becoming one of Europe’s most feared forwards—continues to inspire millions across Africa.

“I came from a very poor background,” he said. “Olusosun shaped me. It taught me resilience. When I go home, I visit because I want those kids to know anything is possible.”

That same burning energy has followed him to Istanbul. Osimhen recalled the overwhelming welcome he received upon arrival: thousands of fans filling the airport in the early hours of the morning, flares blazing, drums pounding, chanting his name.

ALSO READ: Barcelona targets Osimhen, Haaland after Lewandowski

“I had never seen anything like it,” he said. “It gives you fire. You want to give everything for this badge. I love this club deeply. For Galatasaray, I’m ready to go through the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

Osimhen’s football philosophy carries shades of Didier Drogba, his lifelong idol, who also once rocked the same red-and-yellow jersey.

“In football, Drogba was my hero. I learned from his mentality and his leadership,” he said. “In life, it was my elder brother who taught me how to hustle and never give up.”

With Galatasaray rebuilding for continental resurgence, Osimhen believes the moment is ripe for Turkish football to reclaim its place among Europe’s top performers. The club remains the most decorated in Turkey—and Osimhen insists its ambitions extend far beyond domestic dominance.

“We are the biggest club in Turkey and one of the biggest in the world,” he said. “Now, we want to prove it in the Champions League.”

As Galatasaray step into a critical Champions League stretch, Osimhen’s leadership—on and off the pitch—appears set to define the club’s European story this season.

Punch