![Screenshot_20231116-174016_1](https://itopsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot_20231116-174016_1.jpg)
TEARS as Napoli superstar VICTOR OSIMHEN lost his both parents this morning, cause of their death revealedðŸ˜
SportFootball
VICTOR-Y Arsenal target Victor Osimhen’s tragic story, from losing mum as a child to selling water in the street before stardom
Jon Boon
Share
IN-DEMAND striker Victor Osimhen has rocketed to the top – thanks to his supreme ability in front of goal and determination to succeed.
The Nigerian, 23, is enjoying a brilliant campaign at Napoli, where he has scored 16 goals in 28 games in all competitions alerting Premier League giants Arsenal, who have been linked with a £70million move.
Advertisement
Victor Osimhen’a path to football stardom has been hard
Victor Osimhen’a path to football stardom has been hardCredit: Reuters
As a kid, Osimhen endured a tough upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria
As a kid, Osimhen endured a tough upbringing in Lagos, NigeriaCredit: INSTAGRAM
But his path to football stardom hasn’t been an easy one.
Growing up in Lagos, he was left reeling by the death of his beloved mother when he was a small child.
When his father lost his job, Victor and his five siblings were forced onto the streets to help the family make ends meet.
The aspiring footballer, who worshipped Didier Drogba and lived in a Chelsea shirt as a teen, would stand in busy traffic selling bottles of water to drivers.
Advertisement
Osimhen was so young when his mum died, he can only remember the month, not the year.
Back in 2019, he told France Football: “I lost my mom in October, I do not even remember the year. I was small. Three months later, my father lost his job. It was very hard for our family.
“My brother sold sports newspapers, my sister (sold) oranges in the street and me, bottled water in Lagos in the middle of the traffic.
“We had to survive so we stuck together. In the evening, we were all together and we gathered the money on the table. We gave everything to our big sister and she made food and organised everything.
Advertisement
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
LOCKED UP Ex-Premier League striker JAILED for failing to pay his beauty queen ex-wife £70k
SHEER DELIGHT Lionesses pose up a storm at GQ awards in see-through dresses with Alex Scott
THE RAT PACK Ratcliffe plans new Man Utd transfer team after axing chief exec Arnold
WOW! Alex Scott wows as she goes braless in see-through dress at GQ Men of the Year awards
“Part of my life has been a struggle to survive. But that’s all I am today in the end. It’s hard to classify all that but each event has created my personality.”
Early struggles
Osimhen’s upbringing couldn’t have been more different to many of his contemporaries.
He hustled in Olusosun to find ways of living and paying for his education.
To save money on clothing, he would regularly pay a trip to Africa’s largest waste dump in search of Nike trainers.
Advertisement
“Where I grew up, people live on the other side of an open dump,” he revealed.
“With my friends, we went there every Friday or Sunday to find shoes. We stayed there a long time. It was funny! We saw it as a game but when you think about it … It was always a fight.
“Sometimes you see, you found yourself with a Nike on the right foot and then you start looking for the other foot … And finally, you find the left foot and it’s a Reebok! My sister patched everything up and it was good. It was survival.”
For Osimhen, family means everything including sister BlessingCredit: INSTAGRAM
As a youngster, Osimhen would visit this dump and look for footwearCredit: Reuters
Passion for football
Watching Premier League football, especially Chelsea, gave Osimhen an escape and a dream.
Advertisement
Often wearing a Blues shirt, his older brother Andrew would take him to a viewing centre where the local community would gather round a TV set to watch all the action.
Osimhen would soon find himself training with the Lagos-based side Ultimate Strikers Academy, aptly named in this case for producing one of Africa’s current finest.
It would set him up for a remarkable explosion at youth level that alerted Europe’s top clubs.
In 2015, aged just 15, he was invited by former Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amunike to train with Nigeria’s U17s.
Advertisement
Already offering bags of pace and a strong physique, Amunike wasn’t afraid to throw Osimhen into the deep end.
After helping his country quality for the U17 World, he led Nigeria’s forward line – with some style too – in Chile.
The Super Eagles would win the competition, and Osimhen would finish as top scorer with 10 goals.
He would also win the Silver Ball for the best player of the tournament.
Advertisement
Golden Boot and Silver Ball winner Victor Osimhen, right, poses with his trophies after the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 FinalCredit: Getty
Osimhen’s goalscoring exploits alerted Europe’s top clubsCredit: Getty
Bundesliga awaits
After witnessing a star being born, Europe’s top clubs showed an interest in Osimhen.
Arsenal, Man City and Spurs all wanted him. But the talent chose a move to Germany, after Wolfsburg struck up a partnership with Ultimate Strikers Academy.
He admitted money played a big part, as he chose the highest offer on the table.
But it wasn’t because of greed. Osimhen was desperate to provide, once again, for his family and help set them up.
Advertisement
“When I signed in Wolfsburg, I didn’t buy anything for myself with my bonus. I immediately bought a house in Lagos for my father,” he said.
“I gave money to my brothers and sisters, and today, everyone is okay in their businesses. It makes me happy to know that they have enough to eat.
“They always help me and it is normal I want to change their lives.”
Osimhen returns to his roots to give back to the community he grew up inCredit: INSTAGRAM
Making his name in France
Osimhen struggled for game time in Germany, with injuries and a bout of malaria affecting his form.
Advertisement
He was subsequently loaned out to Belgium side Charleroi, with an option for a permanent transfer included in the deal in 2018.
The move would ignite his career at club level – as he blasted 20 goals in 36 games in his only season with the club.
They did exercise their right to sign Osimhen at the end of the campaign for just £3m.
But smelling a quick profit, a month later he was sold to Lille for £20m as a replacement for Nicolas Pepe, who joined Arsenal.
Advertisement
Osimhen just got better and better. He scored twice on his debut in a 2-1 win over Nantes, netted his first Champions League goal against his beloved Chelsea, and was Lille’s top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions.
Osimhen became an instant hit at Lille and in FranceCredit: Getty
In his first and only season, Osimhen scored 18 goals to finish top scorerCredit: AFP or licensors
Serie A star
Within one season, Napoli didn’t need much convincing that Osimhen was the man who could bring the glory days back to the club.
They splashed a record £70million on the forward, making him the most-expensive African footballer of all-time in 2020.
The move, though, was tinged with some sadness for Osimhen, who couldn’t forget his roots.
Advertisement
A few months prior to completing the deal, he lost his beloved father Patrick, who had managed the early stages of his son’s career.
For Osimhen, it was sad his parents weren’t around to witness his amazing achievement.
READ MORE ON THE SUN
‘HAD HEART’ David Schwimmer shares ‘favorite moment’ with Matthew Perry in touching tribute
OOPS I’m A Celeb fans spot ‘critical error’ in Josie Gibson’s jungle introduction
But, he shared a poignant message to his followers on Twitter after the move was completed.
“Mom and dad are proud for sure,” he wrote. You can bet they are with the role model Osimhen has become.
Advertisement
Napoli parted with £70m for Osimhen – making him Africa’s most expensive footballerCredit: Getty
Osimhen’s success story is tinged with sadness – with his mum and dad failing to see his proudest momentCredit: INSTAGRAM
Advertisement
Topics
Football FeaturesSport FeaturesVictor Osimhen
Advertisement
YOU MIGHT LIKE
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
FOLLOW THE SUN
Sign Up To The Sun
About Us
Editorial Complaints
Policies and Ethics
Clarifications and Corrections
News Licensing
Advertising
Contact Us
Commissioning Terms
Help Hub
Topic A-Z
Cookie Settings
Contact Preferences
Sun Jobs
Do not sell or share my personal information
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
Leave a Reply