Former Galatasaray striker Ümit Karan has showered praise on Nigerian international Victor Osimhen, describing him as the “father of the Turkish Super Lig” following his impressive display of sportsmanship in Galatasaray’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Konyaspor on Friday.

Osimhen caught Karan’s attention after demonstrating remarkable selflessness by allowing teammate Rafael Leão to take a penalty during the encounter, despite being in contention to improve his position on the league’s goal-scoring chart.

Both players found the back of the net as Galatasaray cruised to a convincing victory, but it was Osimhen’s decision to prioritise his teammate’s opportunity over his personal scoring ambition that particularly impressed the former Turkish international.

Reacting to the incident, Karan described the Nigerian striker’s gesture as a demonstration of exceptional character, insisting that such moments reflect the mentality required to build a championship-winning team.

"You're heading to the top of the goal-scoring charts, and giving the ball to Leão there is a true mark of character," Karan said via ENO Sports.

"For a striker, this is the toughest move to make. He might score his 10th goal, but he's saying, 'Let my friend win one too.' These are the moves that make a team champions," he added.

Karan further emphasised his admiration for Osimhen, applauding the striker for putting the collective interest of the team above individual achievements.

"I want to sincerely congratulate Osimhen once again; I'm applauding Osimhen, the father of this league," he stated.

The former Galatasaray forward’s comments further underline the growing admiration for Osimhen's influence at the Turkish club, where his contributions have extended beyond goalscoring to include leadership, teamwork and an evident commitment to the collective success of the squad.

His willingness to share the spotlight with teammates, even when personal milestones are within reach, has reinforced his reputation as a team-oriented forward and a key figure in Galatasaray's pursuit of domestic success.