The Turkish Süper Lig is witnessing a fascinating “African brotherhood” moment that has football fans buzzing. Former Senegal international Mbaye Diagne has officially weighed in on his long-standing goal-scoring record, and he has a very specific “successor” in mind: Nigeria’s own Victor Osimhen.
Here is the breakdown of the record and why Diagne’s endorsement is making headlines:
1. The Record: 30 Goals in One Season
Mbaye Diagne set a massive benchmark during the 2018–2019 season. While playing for both Kasımpaşa and Galatasaray, he scored a total of 30 goals in a single campaign. This remains the record for the highest number of goals scored by a foreign player in the history of the Turkish Süper Lig.
2. “Only Osimhen”
In a recent interview with the Turkish daily Vatan, Diagne expressed immense pride in his achievement, noting that nobody has been able to touch it for over half a decade. However, he admitted there is one player he would be happy to see take the crown.
- The Quote: “I could only accept it if my friend Osimhen broke it. For anyone else, it is impossible.”
- The Brotherhood: Diagne, who also wore the Galatasaray jersey, feels a deep sense of respect for Osimhen’s talent and believes the Nigerian striker is the only one with the “ruthless finishing” needed to reach the 30-goal mark.
3. The Current Race: Osimhen vs. Onuachu
While Diagne is backing Osimhen, the statistics show a fierce Nigerian rivalry at the top of the Turkish charts:
- Paul Onuachu: Currently leads the scoring charts with 22 goals.
- Victor Osimhen: Follows with 15 goals.
Despite Osimhen being currently behind Onuachu, Diagne believes that Osimhen’s explosive style and the creative midfield backing him at Galatasaray make him the ultimate threat to the record.
