In May 2025, Victor Osimhen’s global search ranking propelled him to the top of the global footballer search rankings.
Osimhen, the 2023 African best player, outshone global football icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to emerge in the top spot of the most searched footballers in the world.
This comes as recent data revealed that Osimhen amassed a total of 935,021 searches, outpacing Cristiano Ronaldo’s 631,507.
Galatasaray’s veteran keeper Fernando Muslera came third with 540,974 searches, followed by rising Turkish talent Arda Güler (354,529) and Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal (278,226).
Messi, Morata, Icardi, Kane, and Leroy Sané rounded out the top ten.
The data also indicated that Osimhen’s global search ranking soared due to his on-field brilliance during his loan stint with Galatasaray, and swirling transfer rumors.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Osimhen, emerging as the most searched footballer in the world for May 2025, comes as thousands of fans have been seeking answers on his next transfer move.
Osimhen has fallen out with his club, Napoli since 2024. The Italian club tried to sell Osimhen on a permanent transfer during the 2024 summer transfer window; however, negotiations out fell through.
This made him go on loan to Galatasaray, where he gave a good account of himself through the 2024-2025 season.
Osimhen, during the loan spell at Galatasaray, netted 37 goals in 41 appearances.
The transfer saga has remained the same in the current 2025 transfer window, as several clubs are fighting to get the signature of the Nigerian talisman.
According to reports, Premier League giants like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool are interested in signing Osimhen.
However, Osimhen’s transfer fee has been reported to be a major issue in the ongoing negotiations as Napoli is reportedly demanding a €75 million release clause.
Also, Osimhen’s rejection of a €30 million-a-year offer from Al-Hilal further escalated the transfer saga.
