According to a report by Premium Times on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen attracted attention during Galatasaray’s 4-2 victory over Lille in the UEFA Champions League after raising his hands towards the home supporters instead of celebrating his goal in the usual manner.

The Nigerian international scored in the 61st minute to help Galatasaray secure an important away victory on Wednesday night. However, his reaction after finding the net became a notable moment in the match, as it appeared to reflect his appreciation for the Lille supporters who backed him during his time at the French club.

Osimhen previously played for Lille during the 2019/2020 season after joining the French side from Belgian club Charleroi. He quickly established himself as one of the club’s key attacking players, scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.

His impressive performances attracted interest from several European clubs and eventually earned him a move to Napoli in 2020. The Nigerian striker continued to develop in Italy, becoming one of Europe’s most feared forwards and playing a significant role in Napoli’s Serie A title triumph during the 2022/2023 season.

His return to face Lille in the Champions League therefore carried special significance, as the club represented an important stage in his professional development.

Rather than celebrating exuberantly after scoring against his former team, Osimhen raised his hands towards the Lille supporters, a gesture that appeared to acknowledge their previous support. He also received a warm reception from the home fans when he was substituted towards the closing stages of the encounter.

Meanwhile, Osimhen’s goal proved important for Galatasaray, who were seeking their first victory in this season’s Champions League campaign.

The match produced an entertaining contest, with Yunus Akgün giving Galatasaray an early lead before Lille responded through Soriba Diaoune, who scored twice. Aleksey Batrakov subsequently restored parity before the break, keeping both sides firmly in contention.

Galatasaray improved after the interval and eventually secured a 4-2 victory, with Osimhen delivering a crucial contribution in the second half.

The Nigerian forward’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his influence on the Turkish side’s European campaign.

His decision to acknowledge Lille’s supporters demonstrated the lasting connection he appears to maintain with the club, despite moving on to achieve greater success elsewhere. While his goal helped Galatasaray secure a valuable result, his gesture also served as a reminder of the importance of the relationships players build with supporters during their careers.