"I put my faith in God knowing fully well that He alone will continue to see me through life’s journey.” – Victor Osimhen
Victor James Osimhen’s rise from the impoverished streets of Lagos to the
pinnacle of world football is a compelling story of resilience, faith, and
unmatched talent. This profile explores his humble beginnings, meteoric
football career, personal faith, and far-reaching impact.
Born December 29, 1998, in Olusosun, Lagos, Victor is the
youngest of six children to Patrick and Christiana Osimhen, both of Esan
ancestry from Edo State. Tragedy struck early: he lost
his mother before age one, and his father later faced unemployment. Victor’s
early life was shaped by hardship - selling sachet water in traffic, scavenging
in dumps, and learning survival on the streets.
Yet even in scarcity, his passion for football burned bright.
Inspired by Didier Drogba, he played barefoot in local games until scouts
spotted him. He joined the Ultimate Strikers Academy, where his
potential began to emerge.
Breakthrough on the
World Stage
🇳🇬 FIFA U-17 World
Cup, Chile 2015
At 16, Victor exploded onto the global stage at the U-17 World
Cup - scoring a record 10 goals in 7 matches, earning Golden Boot and
Silver Ball honors, and guiding Nigeria to the title. His performance earned him CAF
Youth Player of the Year and launched his European journey.
European Club
Career
VfL Wolfsburg (2017–2019)
Victor signed with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in January 2017.
However, injuries and adaptation issues limited him to 14 apps without a goal.
Charleroi (2018–2019,
loan)
He revived his career on loan in Belgium - scoring 20 goals in 36 games. His resurgence led to a move to
Lille.
🇫🇷 Lille OSC
(2019–2020)
At Lille, Osimhen maintained form - 18 goals in 27 Ligue 1
games - earning Player of the Season and Major Italian interest.
🇮🇹 Napoli (2020–2024)
Napoli secured him for a club-record €70 million in 2020, making him the
most expensive African player at the time. His major achievements include:
- Serie A Player of the Year (2022–23)
- League’s top scorer with 26
goals, becoming the first African to win the Capocannoniere
- Led Napoli to their first
championship in 33 years.
He sustained a serious facial injury in November 2021, leading to his
signature “Masked Assassin” phase.
🇹🇷 Galatasaray
(2024–25, loan)
Loaned in 2024 to Galatasaray, he scored 26 league goals,
won both the Turkish Super Lig and Turkish Cup, and earned hero status among
fans—calling it “new home”.
🇳🇬 International
Career with Nigeria
He was pivotal in Nigeria's U-17 triumph in 2015. Senior debut came in June 2017. He
has since become a consistent goal-scorer in AFCON tournaments (2019, 2023),
making him one of Nigeria's top scorers .
Playing Style &
Work Ethic
- Blistering pace &
acceleration
- Physical strength & aerial
prowess
- Relentless pressing & work
rate
- Clinical finishing with head and feet
Despite occasional injury concerns, his mental toughness and resilience
set him apart .
Faith &
Personal Values
Victor Osimhen is a devout Christian:
- Prayers and gospel music before
matches
- Publicly credited God for his
growth and life path
- Active churchgoer in Nigeria
His Instagram bio quotes, “God is good,” aligning with the Edo origin of
his name.
Awards &
Achievements
Individual Honors:
- FIFA U-17 Golden Boot, 2015
- CAF Youth Player 2015
- Serie A Best Young Player 2021–22
- Serie A Top Scorer & Best
Striker 2022–23
- Serie A Footballer of the Year
2022–23
- African Footballer of the Year
2023.
Team Honors:
- U-17 World Cup, 2015
- Serie A (Napoli, 2022–23)
- Turkish League & Cup
(Galatasaray, 2024–25)
Legacy, Net Worth
& Off-field Influence
With an estimated net worth of €70 million–$25 million, Osimhen is
among Africa’s top-earning footballers .
He inspires millions in Nigeria, tops social media charts, and engages in charity
work—supporting youth and underprivileged communities.
FAQ
Who is Victor
Osimhen?
A Nigerian striker born in Lagos, he rose from poverty to become a global
football star playing for Napoli and Galatasaray, and Nigeria’s national team.
What major awards
has he won?
Golden Boot at U-17 World Cup, Serie A Top Scorer, Serie A Footballer of
the Year, and African Footballer of the Year 2023.
How did his faith
influence him?
He openly credits God before matches, prays, listens to gospel music, and
remains grounded in his Christian beliefs.
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