The UEFA Champions League never sleeps, and after a pulsating Matchday 4 that delivered drama, goals, and unforgettable individual brilliance, the race for Player of the Week honors is fiercer than ever. In a nomination list that's ignited fan frenzy across the globe, four stars stand tall: Galatasaray's explosive Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, Manchester City's silky Englishman Phil Foden, Arsenal's goal-guzzling Spaniard Mikel Merino, and Club Brugge's breakout Portuguese sensation Carlos Forbs. With voting now live on UEFA.com – presented by PlayStation – the question on every football fan's lips is: Who claims the throne? As ballots flood in and social media erupts, this isn't just an award; it's a battle for legacy in Europe's premier club competition.
Matchday 4 of the 2025/26 season served up a feast of football, with Inter Milan and Manchester City extending their perfect records, a thriller in Bruges ending 3-3, and underdogs like Pafos and Qarabağ pulling off stunners. But amid the chaos, these four nominees emerged as the undisputed MVPs, their performances etching their names into the annals of UCL lore. From Osimhen's blistering hat-trick that catapulted him to the top of the scoring charts, to Forbs' audacious double against Barcelona, the stakes couldn't be higher. With over 12,000 likes and 700 reposts on UEFA's official X post announcing the shortlist, the global fanbase is divided – and passionate.Victor Osimhen: The Lion's Roar – Hat-Trick Hero Takes the Scoring SummitLeading the charge is Victor Osimhen, the 26-year-old Galatasaray loanee whose predatory instincts turned the Johan Cruyff Arena into his personal hunting ground. In a clinical 3-0 demolition of Ajax on Tuesday night, the Nigerian international unleashed a 19-minute hat-trick – the fastest in the competition this season – to propel the Turkish giants to third in Group H and himself to six goals, overtaking heavyweights like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. "Osimhen is the second player to score a treble in the Champions League for Galatasaray after Burak Yılmaz in 2012," UEFA noted, highlighting his second such feat in the tournament for the club.It wasn't just the goals – a poacher's tap-in, a thunderous header, and a curling finish from distance – that dazzled. Osimhen's relentless pressing and hold-up play dismantled Ajax's vaunted youth academy defense, earning him Player of the Match plaudits and a nomination that's already dominating ballots. "One, two, three. Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick in just 19 minutes against Ajax Amsterdam!" raved one viral X post, capturing the awe. On X, #OsimhenPOTW has surged past 50,000 mentions, with fans from Lagos to Istanbul hailing him as "the worthy Player of the week for UCL." Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk beamed post-match: "Victor is in the form of his career. He's not just scoring; he's carrying us."
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For Osimhen, on loan from Napoli after a tumultuous summer, this is redemption. Last season's injury woes and contract sagas threatened to derail him, but in Istanbul, he's reborn – 10 goals in 12 appearances across all competitions. "This nomination means everything," he told UEFA's cameras, flashing that trademark grin. "It's for the fans who believed." With voting open until Friday, analysts predict he'll snag 40% of the tally, but rivals lurk.Phil Foden: City’s Golden Boy Bursts Back – Brace Ignites Title DefenseIf Osimhen is the destroyer, Phil Foden is the artist, and his canvas was Borussia Dortmund's leaky backline. In Manchester City's 4-1 rout at the Etihad – a statement win that keeps them atop Group B – the 25-year-old academy product notched his first-ever Champions League brace, dictating play with two sumptuous strikes: a curled beauty from 20 yards and a cool dink over the keeper. "Two brilliantly taken goals were the highlight of a performance in which Foden ran the show," gushed The Football Faithful, noting how he "found pockets of space and punished the Dortmund defence."Pep Guardiola, rarely one for hyperbole, couldn't hide his delight: "Phil is getting back to his best – a welcome sight for all involved at City." Foden's resurgence comes at a perfect time; after a slow start marred by minor knocks, he's now five goals in his last three outings. His vision – threading passes that carved open Dortmund like a hot knife through butter – earned him Player of the Match and a spot on this elite list.X is ablaze with Foden fervor. "Thanks to a wonderful brace... I think it’s fair to say that the 25-year-old attacker is back," tweeted a fan account, echoing Yahoo Sports' verdict. Manchester City supporters, still smarting from last season's semi-final exit, see this as the spark for another deep run. "Foden for POTW – he's the heartbeat," one user posted, with #FodenMasterclass trending in the UK. At 25, is this Foden's era of dominance? The votes will tell.Carlos Forbs: Brugge's Bold Winger Shocks Barça – A Star is Born?Enter the wildcard: 21-year-old Carlos Forbs, the Portuguese prodigy on loan from Wolves (via Manchester City), who turned the Jan Breydel Stadium into his playground during Club Brugge's exhilarating 3-3 draw with Barcelona. Forbs wasn't just involved; he was omnipresent – scoring a brace, including a dinked finish to wrong-foot Wojciech Szczęsny, and whipping in the assist for the equalizer. "Barcelona couldn’t live with him on a memorable night for Club Brugge," UEFA reported, awarding him Player of the Match in a game where the Catalans hit the woodwork three times but couldn't break the hosts' spirit.Forbs' night was a masterclass in audacity: beating the offside trap for the opener's assist, curling home his first, then that cheeky chip for his second in a see-sawing thriller. "A magnificent evening for the 21-year-old winger... an absolute nightmare against Barcelona," Yahoo Sports declared, tipping him as "a glimpse of a future star." Once a City youth standout with 25 goals in a U-21 season, Forbs has found his feet in Belgium, and this display – against a Barça side featuring Pedri and Yamal – screams big-club return.Belgian fans are in rapture; #ForbsNightmare has over 20,000 uses on X, with one post calling him "undoubtedly the MVP of this incredible duel." Club Brugge, unbeaten at home in Europe this term, owe their point to his flair. "He's got that City DNA – fearless," tweeted a supporter. At his age, Forbs represents the UCL's magic: unearthing gems who humble giants.Mikel Merino: Arsenal's Midfield Maestro – Goals Galore in Gunners' GloryRounding out the quartet is Mikel Merino, the 29-year-old Spanish schemer who's transformed from Real Sociedad stalwart to Arsenal's secret weapon. In a 3-0 stroll past Slavia Prague, Merino bagged a brace – his 19th goal of 2025 across club and country – showcasing his aerial prowess and poise in Mikel Arteta's fluid system. "It’s now 19 goals for club and country in 2025, after Merino netted twice," highlighted UEFA, praising his purple patch for Spain and the Gunners.Merino's nomination underscores Arsenal's quiet dominance; top of Group E, they're blending grit with glamour. His goals – a towering header and a slotted finish – weren't flashy, but they were forensic, silencing Slavia's raucous crowd. "A 
," Arsenal's official X account urged, sparking a fan voting blitz. Arteta, who chased him all summer, gushed: "Mikel's become the reliable auxiliary option we need."On X, Gooners are rallying: "Vote for our super Spaniard!" one post demanded, with #MerinoMagic gaining traction. In a midfield often maligned, Merino's output – two goals from central positions – is revolutionary.Fan Fury and Social Storm: The Voting War Heats UpThe announcement has turned X into a coliseum. UEFA's post – "Top MD4 performances... Osimhen, Foden, Merino or Forbs?" – has 37,000 views and 686 replies, with Osimhen leading the charge: "Judging by the comments, Victor Osimhen is definitely winning," noted one analyst. Polls from outlets like 22Bet Ghana show Osimhen at 45%, Foden 30%, Forbs 15%, Merino 10%. "Who’s your Player of the Week? Vote in the poll!" they implored, mirroring the frenzy.Nigerian pride swells for Osimhen – "Vote for Victor Osimhen for UEFA Champions League Player of the Week," pleads Naija Sports Crib. Cityzens counter with Foden edits, while Brugge ultras chant Forbs' name. Even parody accounts join: "Who is this? 
He is the UCL player of the week Victor Osimhen." With ballots closing soon, expect fireworks.Beyond the Ballot: What This Means for the UCL Shake-UpThis quartet embodies the Champions League's allure – diverse talents from powerhouse clubs and plucky upstarts, all converging in a format that's seen 150+ goals already this season. Osimhen's haul vaults Galatasaray into knockout contention; Foden's form eases City's injury woes; Forbs' heroics keep Brugge dreaming big; Merino's goals fuel Arsenal's title tilt.Past winners like Serhou Guirassy (hat-trick hero last April) show the award's predictive power – many go on to Ballon d'Or nods. Whoever triumphs, Matchday 4's magic lingers. As UEFA's site hums with votes, one truth rings: In the UCL, heroes are made weekly.The winner drops Friday. Until then, the debate rages. Who's your pick?
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Player of the Week nomination for Mikel Merino ," Arsenal's official X account urged, sparking a fan voting blitz. Arteta, who chased him all summer, gushed: "Mikel's become the reliable auxiliary option we need."On X, Gooners are rallying: "Vote for our super Spaniard!" one post demanded, with #MerinoMagic gaining traction. In a midfield often maligned, Merino's output – two goals from central positions – is revolutionary.Fan Fury and Social Storm: The Voting War Heats UpThe announcement has turned X into a coliseum. UEFA's post – "Top MD4 performances... Osimhen, Foden, Merino or Forbs?" – has 37,000 views and 686 replies, with Osimhen leading the charge: "Judging by the comments, Victor Osimhen is definitely winning," noted one analyst. Polls from outlets like 22Bet Ghana show Osimhen at 45%, Foden 30%, Forbs 15%, Merino 10%. "Who’s your Player of the Week? Vote in the poll!" they implored, mirroring the frenzy.Nigerian pride swells for Osimhen – "Vote for Victor Osimhen for UEFA Champions League Player of the Week," pleads Naija Sports Crib. Cityzens counter with Foden edits, while Brugge ultras chant Forbs' name. Even parody accounts join: "Who is this? He is the UCL player of the week Victor Osimhen." With ballots closing soon, expect fireworks.Beyond the Ballot: What This Means for the UCL Shake-UpThis quartet embodies the Champions League's allure – diverse talents from powerhouse clubs and plucky upstarts, all converging in a format that's seen 150+ goals already this season. Osimhen's haul vaults Galatasaray into knockout contention; Foden's form eases City's injury woes; Forbs' heroics keep Brugge dreaming big; Merino's goals fuel Arsenal's title tilt.Past winners like Serhou Guirassy (hat-trick hero last April) show the award's predictive power – many go on to Ballon d'Or nods. Whoever triumphs, Matchday 4's magic lingers. As UEFA's site hums with votes, one truth rings: In the UCL, heroes are made weekly.The winner drops Friday. Until then, the debate rages. Who's your pick?