Victor Osimhen Biography: the Humble Beginnings of the King of Naples
Victor Osimhen has grown to become one of the deadliest striker in Europe, a scintillating joy to watch. He has the composure, the shot power and the aerial ability to break through any defence. This season, Osimhen is on the race to become the first African to finish as Ligue 1 Top Scorer. He could also spearhead Napoli to their first Scudetto title in 33 years.
Born to a family of six, Victor Osimhen’s success story is a typical Grass-to-Grace one. In this article, we cover Osimhen’s life biography and more – his blooming career stats, his net worth, awards he’s won, his families and even his cars.
Victor Osimhen Biography
Name: Victor James Osimhen
Date of Birth: 29 December, 1998 (24 years)
Hometown: Esan Land, Edo.
Place of Birth: Lagos.
Nationality: Nigerian
Height: 1.85m
Favorite Artiste: Olamide
School: Olososun Primary School
Current Club: Napoli FC, Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Early Beginnings of Victor Osimhen
In 1998, months before Victor was delivered, neighbours would always ask Mrs. Osimhen (now late)
“Madam, is your baby kicking?”
“Yes. He’s kicking fast,” She’d always reply.
Victor Osimhen had always been a baller. As a toddler, however, he spent most of his time strapped to his mother’s back who used to sell sachet water under scorching sun in Lagos traffic.
Victor Osimhen grew up alongside his brother Andrew and 4 other siblings in Olusosun, a small community around Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. The community accommodates one of the largest dumpsites in Africa. Childhood was not rosy for young Victor. How he hustled! According to TheNationOnlineng, he hawked sachet water on the streets in order to raise funds for his education and general family survival.
How Victor Osimhen’s Career took off
Victor Osimhen attended a local community school – Olusosun Primary School. Every evening, pupils and community youngsters usually meet at the school field. Young Osimhen would go to the field to watch his elder brother, Andrew, play. His brother was good with the ball.
While still hawking, Victor had the chance to learn the basics of football – thanks to his brother. Andrew Osimhen was perhaps the first to envisage that young Victor would be a future talent. Owing to this, Andrew chose to abandon the game to face his newspaper business so as to support his sibling.
“My brother sold sports newspapers, my sister, oranges in the street and me, bottled water in Lagos in the middle of the traffic. We have to survive so we stick together.”
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen got Scouted
In no time, Osimhen became the eye of the field. Local football scouts saw something unique in him. They picked him up. Victor Osimhen had his first successful trial with Ultimate Strikers, a club based in Ojota, Lagos.
In 2014, Victor Osimhen’s wonderful performance with Ultimate Strikers saw him get invited by coach Amuneke, the then Golden Eaglets coach, to represent the Under-17 team of Nigeria.
Osimhen would later become a very instrumental player in the 2015 Fifa U-17 tournament which was held in Chile.
Rise to Stardom: An Osimhen-Led Golden Eaglet won the Fifa U-17 WC
In Nigeria’s first match at Chile, Osimhen made his debut, netting 2 goals. He was allover the news. Nigerians at home felt proud. European scouts kept their eye on him. It was such a buzz!
The Golden Eaglets team eventually lifted the cup, maintaining their as the most successful U-17 international football team. Osimhen ended the tournament with the Golden Boot award after scoring 10 goals, and also the U-17 Silver Ball award.
Osimhen’s Road to Europe
After his remarkable performances in Chile, it was reported that several BIG clubs in Europe went after the young talisman – Arsenal, Man city, Tottenham Hotspur. Just name it!
Shockingly though, Victor Osimhen rejected all offers because another middle-weight club had offered him the BIGGEST money.
Moments after he was named the 2015 African Youth Player of the Year at the CAF Awards in Abuja in January 2016, Osimhen announced to the world that he would be pursuing his professional career with the German Bundesliga club Wolfsburg.
The Move to Wolfsburg
Osimhen soon began life in Germany. He signed a three-and-a-half-year pre-contract deal starting from May 2017. A deal that would keep him at the club till June 2022.
Four months after his Germany debut, Osimhen was knocked off – a shoulder injury forced him to go into surgery. This messed up his first season. Finishing at this poor level, Victor Osimhen dropped in transfer market values that year.
Overall, he scored 0 goals at Wolfsburg.
Victor Osimhen missed the 2018 World Cup
It must have been Osimhen’s dream to play for Nigeria again at the world cup, this time for the country’s senior team – the Super Eagles. Unfortunately, Osimhen (20yrs old then) missed out on selections, owing to health issues.
It was reported that he was in the hospital at the time of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Osimhen Rose Again: Loanspell at Chaleroi
Moving on, Osimhen attended summer trials with Belgian clubs Zulte Waregem and Club Brugge. Unfortunately, he fell sick of malaria, which affected his physical condition and made both clubs reject him.
On 22 August 2018, Victor received the news he’s been waiting for. Belgian First Division A club, Sporting Charleroi, accepted him on a season-long loan deal. Osimhen quickly responded with a goal, his first professional goal, with his backheel. After the match, he told BBC sport:
“I found my happiness again after such a long wait”
Victor Osimhen
He had a successful spell with the Belgian club, playing 36 games and scoring 20 goals.
Osimhen wins Bronze at AFCON
Osimhen was a member of the Nigeria team that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
His only appearance in the tournament was the third-place match against Tunisia that ended 1-0, in favour of the Super Eagles.
Losc Lille lured Osimhen in
Around Mid 2019, Losc Lille – a french Club – completed the signing of 20-year-old Victor Osimhen from Sporting Charleroi. Osimhen penned a five-year deal that will keep him at the Stade Pierre Mauroy until 2024.
He made a total of 27 apps, scoring 13 goals in the process. During his stay at Lille:
- Victor Osimhen set the mark for the best start by any player in Lille’s history, with 6 goals in his first 7 apps.
- He won the 2020 prize for best African player in the French Ligue 1.
- He was named Lille Player of the Year for the 2019-20 season.
And his Journey continues at Napoli
In July 2021, Osimhen stepped up his career, with a move to Naples in a deal reported to be worth around €50 million. After the transfer, the head of Nigerian football, Amaju Pinnick, told Radio Kiss Kiss:
“I think Victor Osimhen is an excellent signing for Napoli. I’ve followed them from when they had Maradona. Naples is a proud city and also in football terms.”
Amaju Pinnick on Osimhen’s transfer
Though, Osimhen may not have reached the level of Maradona, he’s keyed himself as one of the most valuable player of the Gli Azzurris. Victor Osimhen finished the last 2022/23 season with an impressive goal-scoring record of 26 goals in 32 Serie A appearances.
In Napoli, he:
- led Napoli to Italian Scudetto title after 33 years.
- became Africa’s all-time serie-A topscorer leading Samuel Eto
- won the Globe Soccer Award as Emerging Player of the Year.
- won the Italian Serie A Most Valuable Player (MVP) for U-23 footballers.
- won the EA SPORTS Player Of The Month award in March 2022.
- got nominated in the FIFA 23 Team of the Year, alongside Lewandowski, Neymar, Kane and many more.
Victor Osimhen loves his Mum
If you check his instagram display picture, you’ll see an old picture of Osimhen’s mum. Osimhen was so young when his mum died that he couldn’t remember the year.
“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.”
Victor Osimhen on his mother’s loss.
Sadly, in May 2020, the Napoli Talisman lost his father.
“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.”
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen Wife
As per numerous reports, Victor Osimhen is currently not married. But The Napoli striker has a German girlfriend – Stephanie Ladewig – whom he has a daughter with. He is known to keep his private life outside the “media eye.” When he was asked why, he told the Punch:
“As long as they do it with me, it’s part of the game, you can even ignore it. But I could never accept that someone could use abusive words towards my daughter or any of my family members. I don’t want to suffer these attacks on my affections, that’s why I defend my family’s privacy from the attacks of those who hate and are capable of writing horrible things on social media.”
Osimhen on why he keeps his family life secret
His daughter’s name is Hailey – she’s almost 2.
Who is Osimhen’s Idol?
Growing up, Osimhen enjoyed watching Chelsea play. Often, he’d watch EPL matches, with his brother, at local viewing centres. His favourite player was Didier Drogba.
“Drogba is the type of player who doesn’t give up, and who possesses fighting spirit. He is also very passionate; always serious on the field and whatever the circumstance, he would try and score for his team.”
Let’s talk about Victor Osimhen’s Cars
Victor Osimhen has been spotted with some luxury cars. The exotic Mercedes G-Wagon that cost him 65,000,000 NGN is one of them. According to carmart.ng, the car was delivered to him in 2021.
Victor Osimhen Net Worth
According to pulse.ng, Victor Osimhen is said to have a net worth of about £13.59m. The Napoli star is one of the richest Super Eagles stars, having played top-flight European football for over a decade.
How huge is his Salary?
Victor Osimhen earns £120,000 per week, £6,240,000 per year playing for Napoli.
