Osimhen matches Messi’s goal tally to lead Nigerian scorers
Victor Osimhen had a record-breaking year, finishing as Nigeria’s top goalscorer with 46 goals in 52 matches for club and country. He tied with Lionel Messi on the global scorers’ chart, both netting 46 goals, though Osimhen achieved it in fewer games. Other Nigerian players like Cyriel Dessers, Paul Onuachu, Tolu Arokodare, and Ademola Lookman also made significant contributions in 2025. Several standout performances were recorded on specific match dates throughout the year.
Match highlights
- Victor Osimhen scored his first goal of the year against Göztepe on January 4, 2025, in Galatasaray’s 2-1 win.
- He netted his last club goal of the year in a 4-1 win over Antalyaspor on December 13, 2025, before joining the Super Eagles camp for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
- Tolu Arokodare scored his first Super Eagles goal on September 6, 2025, in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
- Cyriel Dessers moved to Panathinaikos in 2025 and scored 22 goals in 44 games, including one for Nigeria in an international friendly in March.
- Paul Onuachu scored his first-ever AFCON goal for Nigeria during a group-stage match against Uganda in 2025.
