Victor Osimhen: Rising Star of Nigerian Football
Early Life and Background
Victor James Osimhen was born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria. Growing up in Olusosun, a small community near Oregun in Lagos State, Osimhen faced significant financial challenges as the youngest of seven children. Despite these hardships, his passion for football burned bright from an early age, often playing on the streets of Lagos with friends and dreaming of a professional career.
Youth Career and Breakthrough
Osimhen’s journey in organized football began when he joined the Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos. His performances in local competitions caught the eye of national scouts, leading to his inclusion in Nigeria’s U-17 national team. The young striker’s breakthrough came during the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where he emerged as the tournament’s standout player. Osimhen scored an impressive 10 goals, earning him the Golden Boot as the top scorer and the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the tournament. His exceptional performance played a crucial role in Nigeria clinching their fifth U-17 World Cup title.
Professional Career
VfL Wolfsburg (2017-2019)
Following his World Cup success, Osimhen signed with German club VfL Wolfsburg in January 2017. However, his time in Germany was marred by injuries and limited playing time, presenting early career challenges.
Charleroi (2018-2019)
A loan move to Belgian side Charleroi for the 2018-2019 season proved to be a turning point. Osimhen rediscovered his goal-scoring form, netting 20 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Lille (2019-2020)
Osimhen’s success in Belgium caught the attention of French Ligue 1 club Lille OSC, who signed him in the summer of 2019. In his debut season, he scored 18 goals in 38 appearances, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers.
Napoli (2020-2024)
In 2020, Osimhen made a high-profile move to Serie A giants Napoli for a club-record fee of €70 million, making him the most expensive African footballer at the time. At Napoli, he continued to excel:
- 2020-2021: Despite injuries, he showed promise with 10 goals in 30 appearances.
- 2021-2022: Won the Serie A Best Young Player award.
- 2022-2023: A breakthrough season where he scored 26 league goals, becoming the first African to win the Serie A Golden Boot (Capocannoniere). He played a crucial role in Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years.
- 2023-2024: Continued his impressive form, breaking more records in Serie A.
Galatasaray (2024-2025)
In August 2024, Osimhen joined Turkish giants Galatasaray on loan, where he has continued to showcase his goal-scoring prowess.
International Career
Osimhen made his senior debut for Nigeria in June 2017. He has since become a key player for the Super Eagles, participating in the 2019 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. In the 2023 tournament, he played a significant role in Nigeria’s journey to the final, although they ultimately lost to the host nation, Ivory Coast.
Why does Osimhen wear a mask?
Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian football star, wears a mask for several important reasons:
1. Protection: The primary reason for the mask is to protect Osimhen’s face during matches. In November 2021, he suffered a severe facial injury during a Serie A game between Napoli and Inter Milan. Osimhen collided with Inter defender Milan Skriniar, resulting in multiple facial fractures. The injury was so serious that it required a complex surgery involving three plates and 18 screws to repair the damage.
2. Medical necessity: Following the surgery, Osimhen’s doctor, Gianpaolo Tartaro, explained that the injury could have been even more severe, potentially affecting Osimhen’s eyesight. The mask helps protect the repaired facial bones and the surgical implants.
3. Ongoing precaution: Although Osimhen has fully recovered from the initial injury, he continues to wear the mask as a precautionary measure. He has mentioned that he still experiences some bleeding when heading the ball, even with the mask on, indicating the ongoing sensitivity of the affected area.
4. Psychological comfort: Napoli’s chief doctor, Roberto Ruggiero, has stated that the mask now provides Osimhen with a sense of security. It has become a source of comfort for the player, allowing him to perform confidently on the field without fear of re-injury.
5. Trademark look: The mask has inadvertently become Osimhen’s signature accessory on the pitch. Fans have embraced this unique aspect of his appearance, with some even purchasing replica masks to show support.
Osimhen has indicated that he may need to wear the mask for the rest of his career due to the screws and plates in his face. The mask has evolved from a medical necessity to a part of his identity as a player, making him instantly recognizable on the field as Serie A’s “masked striker.”
Playing Style
Osimhen is known for his explosive pace, powerful finishing, and aerial ability. Standing at 1.85m tall, he combines physical presence with agility, making him a complete modern striker. His work rate and pressing ability also make him valuable in defensive phases of the game.
Off the Field
Despite his success, Osimhen remains connected to his roots. He is involved in various philanthropic efforts, particularly in Nigeria, supporting underprivileged communities and funding education programs. His journey from the streets of Lagos to European football stardom has made him a role model for young African footballers.
Achievements and Records
- FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Boot and Silver Ball (2015)
- Lille Player of the Year (2020)
- Serie A Best Young Player (2021-2022)
- Serie A Top Scorer (2022-2023)
- First African to win Serie A Golden Boot
- Highest scoring African player in Serie A history
Jersey Number
Since making his U-17 debut, Victor Osimhen has played for four different European clubs, each of whom he has represented with a different shirt number.
Prior to being loaned to RSC Charleroi, he wore Wolfsburg’s number 18 jersey, which was later changed to number 45.
Before his one-year stint with Lille came to an end, Osimhen switched up his jersey numbers three times: 16, 12, and 7.
Fernando Llorente and Gonzalo Higuaín wore jersey number 9 while they were with Naples, and Victor Osimhen currently wears it at Napoli.
VIEW ALSO : Rybeena – Gangster
Net Worth and Salary
Victor Osimhen’s net worth has grown as a result of his hard work and the enormous salaries he has received from playing for several elite European clubs. The Nigerian striker made £3,500 a week in his early career at Wolfsburg, which added up to £182,000 annually.
After relocating to Lille, Osimhen’s pay increased to £19,000 per week, or nearly a million dollars annually. Victor Osimhen’s net worth has grown as a result of his current salary at Lille, which is more than five times his salary at £112,000 per week, or £5,824,000 annually.
Victor Osimhen’s net worth is typically around £13,598,000, which is a significant sum of money for the talented striker who has put in a lot of effort to accumulate such a large fortune.
Transferring to a larger club in the present
His net worth would skyrocket if he moved to a bigger club during the current transfer window.
Wife Stefanie Ladewig
Born in Berlin, Oshimen’s wife “Stefanie Ladewig” has a mixed heritage that includes Cameroonian and German ancestry. Her mother, Sarah Ladewig Agbortabi, is from Kumba, one of the biggest cities in Anglophone Cameroon, and her father is German.
Children
Victor Osimhen has a child. He announced the birth of his first kid, a daughter named Haly, in October 2022.
Religion
Victor Osimhen is a Christian. He comes from a Christian home and is a practicing Christian. Osimhen often attends church when he’s back in Nigeria and has been spotted at religious services. He also incorporates prayer into his pre-match rituals and frequently references God in his public statements.
FAQs about Victor Osimhen
- Q: What is Victor Osimhen’s date of birth?
A: Victor Osimhen was born on December 29, 1998. - Q: Which club did Osimhen play for before joining Napoli?
A: Osimhen played for Lille OSC in France before his move to Napoli. - Q: How many goals did Osimhen score to win the Serie A Golden Boot in 2022-2023?
A: Osimhen scored 26 goals in the 2022-2023 Serie A season to win the Golden Boot. - Q: What major achievement did Osimhen help Napoli secure in 2023?
A: Osimhen played a crucial role in helping Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years in the 2022-2023 season. - Q: Which national team does Victor Osimhen represent?
A: Osimhen represents the Nigerian national team, also known as the Super Eagles. - Q: What record did Osimhen set in Serie A?
A: Osimhen became the highest-scoring African player in Serie A history, surpassing George Weah’s record. - Q: What was Osimhen’s transfer fee when he moved to Napoli?
A: Napoli signed Osimhen for a club-record fee of €70 million in 2020. - Q: Which youth tournament brought Osimhen into the spotlight?
A: Osimhen rose to prominence during the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot. - Q: What is Osimhen known for off the football field?
A: Off the field, Osimhen is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting underprivileged communities in Nigeria. - Q: Which Turkish club did Osimhen join on loan in 2024?
A: In August 2024, Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli.