Gündoğan Hails Osimhen’s Champions League Hat-Trick Heroics
Former Manchester City star and German international Ilkay Gündoğan has joined other football stars to praise Victor Osimhen after his stunning UEFA Champions League performance on Wednesday night.
Osimhen stole the spotlight in Amsterdam, scoring a brilliant hat-trick as Galatasaray defeated Ajax 3-0. The Super Eagles striker’s treble strengthened his position as the competition’s top scorer and made him only the second Nigerian to score three goals in a single Champions League match after Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Gündoğan’s Reaction
Gündoğan took to his Instagram story to salute Osimhen’s display, sharing three fire emojis while watching the Galatasaray vs Ajax clash from home.
The gesture spoke volumes, as the former Barcelona midfielder—who now plays alongside Osimhen at Galatasaray—recognised the Nigerian striker’s growing influence in European football.
Osimhen also received praise from Gabon international and Galatasaray teammate Mario Lemina, who wrote jokingly on X, “+3, the Lion roared again. @victorosimhen9, you again. Congrats!”
Osimhen’s Unstoppable Form
The 26-year-old was unstoppable against Ajax, converting two penalties before heading in from Leroy Sané’s cross to complete his hat-trick.
The performance took his Champions League tally to six goals in just three appearances, putting him ahead of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane—all on five—in the race for the Golden Boot.
Osimhen also became the first Galatasaray player to net a European hat-trick since Burak Yılmaz in 2012, and the first ever to score in three consecutive Champions League matches for the Turkish champions.
Focus Turns to Nigeria vs Gabon
With his club duties done for now, Osimhen will turn his focus to international duty as Nigeria prepare to face Gabon in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semifinal on 13 November 2025 in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles striker is expected to lead the line against his Galatasaray teammate Mario Lemina and Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
