- Selim Soydan, a former Turkish football star, has declared Victor Osimhen a better striker than Youssef En-Nesyri, stirring a hot debate.
- Osimhen’s explosive form at Galatasaray, with 28 goals and 5 assists in 32 games, has put him in the spotlight across Turkish football.
- En-Nesyri, despite scoring 26 goals this season, was labelled as less effective by Soydan, who would’ve sold him for €30 million.
Former Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe veteran Selim Soydan has ignited debate in Turkish football circles by naming Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen as a superior forward to Youssef En-Nesyri, insisting the Nigerian is the more complete striker.
Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray from Napoli in September 2024, has quickly become the talisman for the Istanbul giants.
With 28 goals and 5 assists in just 32 appearances, the Super Eagles star has spearheaded Galatasaray’s charge towards a potential domestic double, reaching the Turkish Cup semifinals and keeping the club firmly in the title race.
In contrast, En-Nesyri has also had an impressive season, scoring 26 goals and assisting 6 times in 44 appearances.
However, Soydan, now a prominent pundit in Turkey, suggested that numbers alone don’t tell the full story, praising Osimhen's match-winning influence and all-round play as pivotal to Galatasaray's success,
“If Fenerbahçe cannot become champions, it will not be because of Mourinho. If Galatasaray do become champions, it will be because of Okan Buruk and Victor Osimhen,” Soydan said.
He further credited Galatasaray’s coach and striker for being the defining difference in the title battle.
Soydan didn't stop at complimenting Osimhen; he also took a swipe at Mourinho’s transfer policy at Fenerbahçe, suggesting the Portuguese manager had pursued the wrong players,
“This squad and these players were not given to anyone. Galatasaray has stars like Davinson Sánchez, Torreira, Osimhen. Mourinho wanted the wrong names,” he added.
Soydan casually took another swipe at En-Nesyri, saying,
“There was an offer of 30 million euros for En-Nesyri, but they didn’t sell him. If it were me, I would have sold. He is not as good a goal scorer as Osimhen.”
With transfer speculation continuing to swirl around Osimhen, linked with moves to Chelsea, Juventus, and Manchester United, his performances in Turkey continue to capture continental attention, and he may not be in the Süper Lig much longer.
Osimhen, other Nigerian stars in contention for top honours at Nigeria Pitch Awards
Previously, TheRadar reported that on-loan Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen was in contention for the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards
The event has been scheduled to take place on March 25, immediately after the Super Eagles' crucial World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe. The event organisers confirmed that the prestigious award ceremony would be hosted at the Four Points by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, marking the 11th edition of the highly respected football awards.
