A tifo that touched Victor Osimhen’s heart

The Champions League often delivers unforgettable nights, but what happened at Rams Park before the clash between Galatasaray and Liverpool went far beyond football. Just moments before kickoff, the Turkish supporters unveiled a massive tifo dedicated to Victor Osimhen and his late mother, creating a deeply emotional scene.

The huge banner featured a portrait of the Nigerian striker alongside his mother, accompanied by a powerful message: “We are family and family is everything.” The gesture clearly resonated with the 27-year-old forward, who could not hold back his tears as the Champions League anthem played.

Osimhen was comforted by teammate Lucas Torreira while standing in the lineup next to Mario Lemina and Gabriel Sara.

From tears to a decisive performance

Despite the emotional moment before kickoff, Victor Osimhen quickly refocused and proved on the pitch why he remains one of Galatasaray’s most important players.

Once the match began, the Nigerian striker played a crucial role in the decisive moment. Osimhen provided the assist for Mario Lemina, who scored the only goal of the game to secure a 1–0 victory for Galatasaray over Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

The win sparked huge celebrations in Istanbul and puts the Turkish club in a strong position ahead of the return leg at Anfield, where they will attempt to complete a major upset against one of Europe’s football giants.

A life shaped by hardship

The tribute from Galatasaray carried a particularly deep meaning because of the striker’s personal story. Osimhen lost his mother at a very young age, an event that profoundly shaped his life and career.

According to the player’s own words in interviews with UEFA, the news came through his older brother, who told him that his mother “had gone to sleep and never woke up.” The loss left the family in an extremely difficult situation.

Osimhen has explained that his father had to find work to support the family, while he saw football as the only possible way out of poverty.

He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, alongside several siblings under extremely challenging conditions, and he has often recalled that the sport became his only hope of changing his future.

The special bond between Osimhen and Galatasaray

Since arriving in Istanbul, Victor Osimhen has become one of the most beloved players among Galatasaray supporters. The striker has responded not only with goals and assists, but also with a commitment that has strengthened his bond with the fans.

The spectacular tifo before the Liverpool match was a clear demonstration of that connection. For many supporters, Osimhen represents far more than a striker: he symbolizes struggle, resilience, and perseverance.

The image of a footballer in tears in front of thousands of fans was not seen as weakness, but rather as a powerful human moment that captured the emotional intensity surrounding the sport.

Now, with the advantage from the first leg, Galatasaray will travel to Anfield hoping to complete the upset.

WATCH beIN SPORTS XTRA LIVE FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE