Shock as Phil Foden beats Super Eagles’ hat-trick hero to Champions League award despite Nigerian’s stunning form

Manchester City’s Phil Foden has sensationally beaten Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen to the UEFA Champions League Player of the Week award, despite the Super Eagles star’s spectacular hat-trick heroics.

UEFA Champions League unveiled their Player of the Week after what was an explosive round of matches, with the announcement of Phil Foden as the unexpected winner sparking immediate controversy.

Foden, who scored a brace in Man City’s 4-1 demolition of Borussia Dortmund at home, finished ahead of second-placed Osimhen, who netted a dominant hat-trick for Galatasaray away at Ajax.

• Phil Foden (Man City)

• Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

• Carlos Forbs (Barcelona B, scored twice and assisted one for Club Brugge against Barcelona)

• Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

The decision ignited immediate outrage and shock across social media, with fans highlighting Osimhen's monumental achievements in the match. 

One fan encapsulated the feeling of disbelief, listing the striker's records before questioning the result:

“First Nigerian to score UCL hat-trick since 2002. First Gala player to score UCL hat-trick since 2012. UEFA Champions League top goalscorer with 6. Most active consecutive European games scored in, 8. Victor Osimhen misses out?”

Another user called the decision outright "robbery," while others pointed out the historical significance of Osimhen’s performance: 

“Howwww? Osimhen scored a hat-trick. First African player to score a hat-trick for Galatasaray in UCL. Let's not even talk about the header....Nice one UEFA.”

The outcry suggests that for many fans, the sheer impact and rarity of Osimhen’s three-goal haul should have been enough to secure the prestigious weekly honour.