Victor Osimhen has declared that the tribute Galatasaray fans paid to his late mother before their 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Liverpool on Tuesday is something he will carry with him for the rest of his life.

Before kick-off at RAMS Park, Galatasaray supporters unveiled a large tifo banner depicting Osimhen in his number 45 shirt, holding his daughter Hailey, while his late mother watched over him from above, accompanied by the message, “We are a family and family is everything.”

The gesture reduced the 27-year-old striker to tears during the pre-match lineup as chants echoed around the stadium.

Despite the emotion, Osimhen composed himself to play a key role in the result, providing the assist for midfielder Mario Lemina’s seventh-minute winner, heading a corner back across goal for his teammate to nod home and give the Turkish champions a slender first-leg advantage ahead of the return tie at Anfield.

Writing on Instagram after the match, Osimhen said the outpouring of love from the supporters was unlike anything he had experienced before.

“Tonight was emotional for me as I struggled to hold back my tears. Seeing this show of love from Galatasaray fans is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. From the first day I arrived, you welcomed me with so much love and respect, not only me but also my family and the people close to me.

“Moments like this remind me that football is bigger than just the game. It is love, loyalty and unity. I promise to continue fighting for this badge, this club and these amazing fans with everything I have every time I step on this pitch,” he wrote.

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk said the tifo had given him goosebumps and praised the supporters for standing by the club in good times and bad.

“I had goosebumps as well. We saw the tears in Osimhen’s eyes. Galatasaray is a team of feeling, and it always reflects this to its players and receives that emotion back from them.

“There was a truly beautiful choreography today. They always support us, they are with us even on our bad days,” Buruk said.

Galatasaray now hold a one-goal advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield next week, where they will need to avoid defeat to reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2014.