Victor Osimhen Compares Galatasaray Teammate Barış Alper Yılmaz to African Footballers After Turkish Super Lig Title Win

Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray sealed their fourth consecutive Turkish Super Lig title with a 4-2 win over Antalyaspor on Saturday, but it was his post-match tribute to a teammate that captured widespread attention.

Speaking via a live broadcast on his personal social media account, the 27-year-old Nigerian forward singled out midfielder Barış Alper Yılmaz for exceptional praise, drawing a direct comparison to the qualities he associates with African football.

“Barış Alper Yılmaz plays just like an African footballer. Ambition, fight. Very hungry, very strong,” Osimhen said. “I swear he’s very strong. When I first came here, I asked Mertens about him. I said to Mertens, ‘Dude, this guy plays like an African player, do you realize that?’ Because we Africans never stop. Mertens said, ‘Yes, that’s why I like him so much.’ Barış is a true warrior.”

Yılmaz has been one of Galatasaray’s standout performers throughout the 2025-26 campaign, registering 8 goals and 11 assists in the Turkish Super Lig. His physicality, high-intensity pressing, and consistent offensive output have established him as a fan favourite at RAMS Park, complementing Osimhen’s presence in attack.

The brace against Antalyaspor brought Osimhen’s season tally to 22 goals and extended his overall record at the Istanbul club to 59 goals since arriving two seasons ago. Those figures reinforce his status as one of Europe’s most productive centre-forwards and are likely to attract renewed transfer speculation when the summer window opens in June.

Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli ahead of the 2024-25 season after a high-profile move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli collapsed. His performances in Turkey — particularly his prolific goal return — have kept him firmly in the conversation among Europe’s elite clubs. The Nigerian international has 22 goals across 44 caps for the Super Eagles as of the time of publication, making him one of Nigeria’s most important attacking assets heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Galatasaray’s fourth straight league title cements the club’s domestic dominance in Turkey and marks a significant moment in a rebuilding era under their current squad structure. The title also raises questions about the club’s ability to retain key assets such as Yılmaz and Osimhen — the latter’s long-term future remaining subject to ongoing negotiations between Galatasaray and Napoli regarding his permanent transfer.