Victor Osimhen will break Ahmed Musa’s record with his 26th UEFA Champions League appearance for Galatasaray against Liverpool on Tuesday

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will set a new national record in the UEFA Champions League when he takes the field for Galatasaray S.K. against Liverpool F.C. in the round of 16 first leg at RAMS Park in Istanbul on Tuesday.

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The 27-year-old will surpass Ahmed Musa’s tally of 25 appearances, marking his 26th outing in Europe’s premier club competition.

Osimhen has already scored eight goals and provided two assists this season, matching Musa’s record before this milestone.

If Galatasaray advance to the quarter-finals, Osimhen could also challenge Zaidu Sanusi’s record of 28 Champions League appearances, as the Porto player is absent from this season’s tournament.

Beyond appearances, Osimhen is chasing the record for the most Champions League goals in a single season for a Turkish club.

The current record of eight goals in nine matches belongs to former Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz from the 2012/13 season.

Osimhen has seven goals this campaign and needs one more to equal Yilmaz’s mark.

The Nigerian striker arrives in top form following his first-half header in Galatasaray’s 1-0 derby win over Besiktas, extending his league goal streak to eight consecutive Super Lig matches, including eight goals and four assists.

Across all competitions this season, he has 18 goals and six assists in 26 appearances.

Osimhen also boasts a strong record against Liverpool, having scored the winning goal in Galatasaray’s 1-0 league victory earlier this season.

After the derby win, he expressed confidence heading into the European clash:

“We will carry this momentum into the next Champions League game and give everything. I think we also have an edge in front of our fans. Their support will go a long way.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged the challenge his team faces in Istanbul:

“Every team you are going to face is difficult because they are there for a reason. And what makes it even more clear to us that it is difficult is we have already played there and we have lost. It is a very good team.”

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Galatasaray currently lead the Super Lig by seven points over Fenerbahce, with 61 points from 25 matches, as Osimhen aims to extend his Champions League influence and help the Turkish side reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014.