Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen netted his 37th goal for Galatasaray as his loan spell from Napoli came to an end, scoring in the Turkish giants’ 2-0 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir in their final match of the 2024/2025 season at RAMS Park on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Nigerian forward, who started in manager Okan Buruk’s XI, played for 87 minutes in what could prove to be his farewell appearance for the newly crowned Süper Lig champions.
Osimhen found the back of the net in the 81st minute, heading home Kaan Ayhan’s cross from the right wing at the far post to double Galatasaray’s advantage after Dries Mertens had given them the lead with a 17th-minute penalty.
The victory marked Galatasaray’s 10th consecutive win across all competitions, with Osimhen concluding his remarkable loan spell having scored 37 goals in 41 appearances for the club.
Osimhen scores 37th Galatasaray goal as loan spell ends
Victor Osimhen
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen netted his 37th goal for Galatasaray as his loan spell from Napoli came to an end, scoring in the Turkish giants’ 2-0 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir in their final match of the 2024/2025 season at RAMS Park on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Nigerian forward, who started in manager Okan Buruk’s XI, played for 87 minutes in what could prove to be his farewell appearance for the newly crowned Süper Lig champions.
Osimhen found the back of the net in the 81st minute, heading home Kaan Ayhan’s cross from the right wing at the far post to double Galatasaray’s advantage after Dries Mertens had given them the lead with a 17th-minute penalty.
The victory marked Galatasaray’s 10th consecutive win across all competitions, with Osimhen concluding his remarkable loan spell having scored 37 goals in 41 appearances for the club.
His prolific form has been instrumental in securing Galatasaray’s record 25th league title and Turkish Cup double.
Despite his match-winning contribution, Osimhen picked up a yellow card in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, though it did little to dampen what was likely an emotional evening for the striker and the Galatasaray faithful.
Earlier this week, Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk had acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Osimhen’s future, saying, “The player will decide about his future. He made an incredible contribution here. We need to respect him, but we are hopeful that he will stay with us.”
Galatasaray fans have launched increasingly creative campaigns to persuade the Nigeria striker to remain in Istanbul, including a heartfelt plea displayed on a Times Square billboard in New York City as part of an ongoing #staywithus campaign.
Osimhen has remained quiet on his next move, choosing instead to savour the title celebrations with his teammates and family, including a touching moment with his daughter Hailey following their title-clinching victory over Kayserispor.
The match saw RAMS Başakşehir create several opportunities, with Ömer Ali Şahiner heading Deniz Türüç’s cross towards goal in the 51st minute, only for goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to deflect the ball to safety. Figueiredo also went close in the 54th minute when his shot from the left diagonal of the penalty area went wide of the post.
Galatasaray responded with chances of their own, as Ahmed Kutucu tested visiting goalkeeper Muhammed Şengezer with a long-range effort in the 65th minute, forcing the keeper to tip the ball around the post.
With his loan spell now concluded, Osimhen’s future remains the subject of intense speculation, though his impact on Turkish football and Galatasaray’s historic season will not be forgotten by the club’s supporters.
