“No one like him” – Mario Lemina hails Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen as the best striker he’s ever played with

Gabon international Mario Lemina has lavished praise on Galatasaray teammate Victor Osimhen, describing the Nigerian international as the best striker he has ever played alongside following the sides narrow victory over Liverpool F.C. in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

The two players played decisive roles as Galatasaray secured a hard-fought 1–0 win on Tuesday night. Osimhen provided a perfectly timed assist that allowed Lemina to score the only goal of the match, giving the Turkish giants a valuable advantage ahead of the return leg.

Speaking in a conversation with Djibril Drame, the Gabonese midfielder was full of admiration for the Super Eagles striker, insisting that none of the elite forwards he has previously shared the pitch with compares to Osimhen.

“I’ve played with forwards like Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, Gonzalo Higuaín, André‑Pierre Gignac and Radamel Falcao, but there’s no one like Victor Osimhen. He’s one of a kind,” Lemina said.

The experienced midfielder emphasized that Osimhen’s impact goes far beyond just scoring goals. According to Lemina, the Nigerian forward constantly influences games with his work rate, relentless pressing, and ability to create problems for defenders even when he is not on the scoresheet.

“Even if he doesn’t score, he’s constantly contributing, constantly a threat. He’s always pressing. He even defends with us,” Lemina explained. “On top of that, he’s a complete finisher.”

Osimhen has built a reputation across Europe for his explosive pace, physical strength, and clinical finishing, and Lemina believes the striker’s mentality is what truly sets him apart from many of the world’s top forwards.

The Gabon international revealed that the 25-year-old’s competitive spirit and refusal to accept defeat push the entire team to perform at a higher level.

“I’ve never seen such a hungry forward,” Lemina added. “He hates losing, and when we lose, he won’t talk to you. The next day, he puts on his headphones and doesn’t talk to anyone. But these are good habits. It’s a fantastic thing.”

Osimhen’s assist against Liverpool once again highlighted his importance to Galatasaray’s attacking system. While the Nigerian is widely known for his goal-scoring ability, his creativity and teamwork have increasingly become key elements in the club’s European campaign.

With the narrow advantage secured in the first leg, Galatasaray will now head into the decisive second encounter hoping that the chemistry between Lemina and Osimhen can once again inspire them as they aim to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.