Victor Osimhen has climbed to the summit of the UEFA Champions League goal chart after netting a hat-trick in Galatasaray’s 3-0 win over Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday night.
The Nigerian striker opened the floodgates in the 59th minute, rising high to head in Leroy Sané’s teasing cross.
He later showed nerves of steel by converting two penalties within ten minutes, sealing his first-ever hat-trick in the competition.
The treble lifted Osimhen’s tally to six goals in three matches, moving him ahead of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.
His scoring spree also saw him surpass Obafemi Martins to become Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in UEFA club competitions with 25 goals.
“Of course, I think I have the quality to do so, but I do it with the support of my teammates. They love giving me the ball, just like they did today,” Osimhen told Galatasaray’s official website.
“It’s a team effort, and I believe that with my teammates and their support, such a possibility is definitely possible. I will fight for it.”
Osimhen’s form has put him in pole position to claim the prestigious top scorer award, a feat no Nigerian has ever achieved.
