The year 2025 proved to be a spectacular period for football's elite marksmen, with Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen delivering a performance that placed him among the very best in the world. According to data compiled by ESPN and reported by Planet Football, the Super Eagles forward finished the calendar year with a remarkable tally of 46 goals for both club and country.
Nigerian Star Joins Football's Elite
Osimhen's impressive haul, achieved in 52 appearances for Turkish champions Galatasaray and the Nigerian national team, was enough to secure him a spot in the global top five. His achievement is made even more significant by the players he finds himself alongside and those he has surpassed. The Napoli icon, who completed a permanent move to Galatasaray in July 2025, outscored the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted 41 times for Al-Nassr and Portugal.
Furthermore, Osimhen's total of 46 goals saw him finish level with the great Lionel Messi. The Argentine maestro, still shining for Inter Miami and Argentina, also scored 46 times in 54 matches during the year. This places the Nigerian striker in the rarefied air of football's current goal-scoring aristocracy.
The Kings of the 2025 Goal Chart
The undisputed leader of the pack was Real Madrid and France phenomenon Kylian Mbappe. In his second season at the Spanish giants, Mbappe was in devastating form, racking up a staggering 66 goals in just 67 games. This incredible output cemented his status as the world's premier forward.
In second place was England captain Harry Kane, who enjoyed a trophy-laden 2025. Kane found the net 60 times in 65 matches, with 51 of those goals coming for Bayern Munich. Manchester City's Erling Haaland followed closely behind, maintaining his phenomenal standard with 57 goals in 55 appearances for club and country.
The list featured a surprise name in fourth position: Puerto Rican forward Kevin Hernandez. He boasted the best goals-per-game average in world football for the year, scoring an incredible 48 goals in only 37 matches.
Osimhen's Rise and Fan Adoration
Victor Osimhen's fifth-place finish is a testament to his consistency and lethal finishing ability, traits that have endeared him to fans worldwide. His popularity was highlighted by a dedicated Galatasaray supporter, identified as Hussein, who travelled to Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations specifically to support the Nigerian striker. The fan praised Osimhen as a "humble and perfect player," reflecting the deep connection he has forged with supporters.
While the top scorers of 2025 put up phenomenal numbers, the record set by Lionel Messi in 2012—an almost mythical 91 goals in a single year—remains untouched. The 2025 chart, however, showcases the global spread of goal-scoring talent, from the major European leagues to emerging football nations.
As the new year begins, all eyes will be on whether Victor Osimhen can maintain this elite form and potentially climb even higher in the global rankings, carrying the hopes of Nigerian football fans with every strike.
