Former Arsenal midfielder, Lucas Torreira, recently made waves in football media by asserting that Victor Osimhen — currently starring for Galatasaray S.K. — is among the three best players in the world right now, a list he placed alongside Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappé.
By ranking Osimhen this highly, Torreira implied that he is surpassing other elite talents, including Yamal, Kane, and Haaland — all of whom are widely regarded as among the global elite in their respective roles.
Victor Osimhen: Current Form and Performance
Victor Osimhen has emerged as one of the most feared centre-forwards in world football, thanks to his explosive pace, physicality, and goal-scoring consistency. He has been particularly impressive in the 2025–2026 season, producing strong numbers for Galatasaray and helping his club compete at the top of the Süper Lig.
Key Attributes:
- Consistent goal-scoring and offensive impact at club level.
- Excellent athletic profile, combining pace with strength — traits that allow him to bully defenders and finish clinically.
- Praise from commentators and former pros has placed him in “elite striker” conversations alongside world-class forwards.
The Comparisons Explained
Torreira’s assertion effectively invites fans to compare Osimhen with three very different yet elite football talents — each outstanding in their own right.
Lamine Yamal
- Lamine Yamal is an 18‑year‑old Spanish winger known for dribbling, creativity, and chance creation, which has made him one of the most exciting young players in world football.
- Yamal is not a traditional striker; his strengths lie in playmaking and attacking from wide and attacking mid positions rather than purely finishing. This makes direct comparison with Osimhen — a centre‑forward — more about role and impact style than direct productivity.
Torreira’s point: Osimhen’s current impact as a finished goal threat and central piece for his team may stand above Yamal’s role as a creative weapon this season.
Harry Kane
- Harry Kane is one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, currently playing for Bayern Munich and known for clinical finishing, football intelligence, and all‑round forward play.
- Kane combines goal scoring with creation and often drops into midfield, making him one of the most complete No. 9s ever.
Torreira’s claim: suggests that Osimhen’s current season output and influence — especially his role as a decisive attacking figure — may give him an edge over even a veteran like Kane, especially in terms of consistent game‑deciding performances.
Erling Haaland
- Erling Haaland is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, breaking records for goal scoring with Manchester City and previously with Borussia Dortmund.
- He excels in pure finishing, positioning, and game impact as a No. 9, and has won multiple individual awards for his prolific scoring.
Comparisons between Osimhen and Haaland often hinge on:
- Finishing reliability vs. all‑round physical presence.
- Goal output vs. positional playmaking and space creation.
While Haaland remains statistically superior in pure goals in many metrics, Torreira’s assessment appears to reflect Osimhen’s match influence and momentum this season rather than long‑term cumulative records.
Broader Football Context
Different Roles, Different Strengths
- Osimhen – Central striker known for lethal finishing and physical dominance.
- Yamal – Creative winger with game‑breaking flair.
- Kane – Complete striker with scoring and playmaking.
- Haaland – Record‑breaking goal scorer and box finisher.
Form vs. Reputation
Torreira’s comments highlight Osimhen’s impact this season, but unlike fleeting form, Osimhen has built a reputation for consistent excellence over multiple seasons. While football performance naturally varies with tactics, roles, and context, his steady goal-scoring, physical dominance, and match-winning presence make such comparisons not just a snapshot of the present, but a reflection of a striker who reliably delivers at the highest level.
Conclusion
Lucas Torreira’s statement that Victor Osimhen is “better” than Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland — at least in the current context of the 2025/26 season — is less about dismissing the quality of those stars and more about emphasizing Osimhen’s elite performance and influence right now and always.
In summary:
- Osimhen’s form and central role at Galatasaray have pushed him into elite conversation.
- Yamal’s youth and creativity shine differently, not strictly comparable to a goal‑driven striker role.
- Kane and Haaland remain top class with proven, long‑term productivity, but this season’s context may tilt subjective assessments toward Osimhen’s influence.
Ultimately, such rankings are opinionated assessments, influenced by form, role, and impact, meaning that while Torreira’s view is significant, it’s part of a broader and ongoing debate in world football, and Nigeria’s Osimhen stands tall in that category.