WATCH: Victor Osimhen's sublime touches before goal have everyone calling him world's best

Nigeria’s main man Victor Osimhen has once again set social media ablaze with a moment of pure footballing genius that has fans and former professionals declaring him the best striker on the planet right now.

His spectacular goal against Antalyaspor on Saturday evening wasn't just about the finish, it was the sublime touches from the center circle that had everyone talking.

With the AFCON 2025 qualifiers looming on the horizon, Nigeria's golden boy chose the perfect moment to remind the world of his extraordinary talent. In Galatasaray's commanding 4-1 away victory against Antalyaspor on Saturday, Osimhen delivered a masterclass that transcended mere statistics.

This wasn't just a goal. It was artistry in motion, a declaration of intent, and a reminder to anyone who has questioned his status among football's elite strikers.

The Turkish Super Lig leaders wasted no time asserting their authority at the Antalyaspor Stadium. From the opening whistle, it was clear that only one team had come to play.

Leroy Sane opened the floodgates in just the seventh minute, giving Galatasaray the early advantage and setting the tone for what would become a comprehensive victory. The visitors were in ruthless form, their attacking intent clear from the outset.

Four minutes later, Roland Sallai doubled the lead with a clinical finish, part of a swift one-two combination that left the home defense scrambling. Antalyaspor were being systematically dismantled, unable to cope with the waves of attacks crashing against their backline

The home side's struggles were evident throughout the first half. Defender Lautaro Gianetti picked up a yellow card in the 31st minute, a symptom of Antalyaspor's increasing desperation as they failed to contain Galatasaray's rampant attacking force.

By halftime, the writing was on the wall. But the best was yet to come.

What unfolded in the 56th minute was the kind of moment that gets replayed endlessly, dissected frame by frame, and immortalised in highlight reels for years to come.

Victor Osimhen received a precise pass from Yunus Akgun on the left flank, a ball that seemed to travel an impossible distance from near the center circle. What happened next separated the good from the great, the talented from the world-class.

The Nigerian international's first touch was sublime, bringing the ball under instant control despite its trajectory and pace. His second touch was equally divine, setting himself perfectly as he drove powerfully into the penalty area with defenders scrambling to recover. Then came the finish.

From a narrow angle, with the goalkeeper positioned and defenders closing in, Osimhen unleashed an unstoppable rocket that ripped past the keeper and into the net. The execution was flawless, power, precision, and placement combined in one devastating strike.

3-0. Game over. But more than that, it was a goal that would dominate conversations long after the final whistle.

Within moments of the ball hitting the net, social media exploded with reactions from fans, former players, and football enthusiasts around the world.

The consensus was overwhelming: this was world-class, and Osimhen was operating on a different level. Leading the chorus of praise was former Super Eagles midfielder and Osimhen's close friend, John Ogu, who couldn't contain his admiration.

"Them touches to the goal is everything .. World best," Ogu declared, capturing what everyone had just witnessed. It wasn't just the goal, it was everything that preceded it. The control, the composure, the execution.

The tributes continued to pour in: "The goal machine", "World Best 🔥🔥. Cimbombom"

"World best". The repeated use of "world best" wasn't hyperbole or hometown bias, it was an acknowledgment of what fans had just witnessed.

In that moment, Osimhen had done something that only the very elite can do: make the impossible look effortless.

Osimhen's performance has reignited one of football's most passionate debates: who is the best striker in the world right now?

The Nigerian forward has consistently delivered at the highest level, from his Scudetto-winning heroics with Napoli to his explosive start at Galatasaray. His combination of physical power, technical brilliance, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing puts him in rarefied company.

While names like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe often dominate these conversations, Osimhen's ability to produce moments of jaw-dropping skill while maintaining elite-level production makes his case compelling.

Goals like the one against Antalyaspor don't just pad statistics, they showcase a complete striker at the peak of his powers. The control from that distance, the explosive drive into the box, the composure to finish from a tight angle under pressure—these are the hallmarks of special talent.

While Osimhen's goal stole the headlines, Galatasaray weren't finished. The league leaders added a fourth goal to complete their dominant display, eventually running out 4-1 winners despite Antalyaspor managing a consolation strike.

The victory reinforced Galatasaray's position at the top of the Turkish Super Lig and demonstrated why they remain favorites for the title. With Osimhen in this kind of form, they look virtually unstoppable.

For Nigeria, the timing of Osimhen's brilliance couldn't be better. With AFCON 2025 qualifiers on the horizon, having their talisman in peak form and brimming with confidence is invaluable.

Osimhen has always elevated his game for the national team, and this latest display suggests he's ready to carry Nigeria's hopes on his shoulders once again. The Super Eagles have struggled at times in recent campaigns, but with their star striker hitting these heights, optimism is justified.

Victor Osimhen now turns his attention to AFCON 2025 qualifiers, where Nigeria will be hoping he can reproduce this devastating form on the international stage.