Early Life & Family Background
Victor James Osimhen was born on 29 December 1998 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is the youngest of six children.
His father, Patrick Osimhen, hails from Edo State, and his late mother, Christiana, was from Delta State.
He grew up in the Olusosun area of Lagos, a neighbourhood close to a large dump site, which shaped much of his childhood. As a young boy, he sold sachet water in traffic, collected discarded items near the dumpsite, and faced many hardships following the death of his mother and his father’s loss of employment.
Education & Early Passion for Football
Osimhen attended local primary and secondary schools in Lagos, balancing formal education with helping his family.
His academic journey was not easy, and he eventually left school to focus more fully on football.
He joined Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos, which offered him early structured training and exposure to organized football.
Breakthrough & Professional Career
Youth Success: Osimhen made his mark internationally at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where he scored 10 goals in 7 games, won the Golden Boot, and helped Nigeria lift the trophy.
Move to Europe: In 2017, he joined German side VfL Wolfsburg. His time in Germany was difficult, with sparse playing time and challenges both on and off the field.
Lifting Off in Belgium & France: He was loaned to Charleroi (Belgium) in 2018–19, where he rediscovered his form. He later transferred to Lille in France, continuing his rise with impressive goal-scoring.
Peak Achievements & Recent Success
Napoli & Serie A Glory: In 2020 Osimhen moved to Napoli, where he made history by helping the club win their first Serie A title in 33 years during the 2022–23 season. He also became the league’s top scorer — the first African to do so.
Turkey & Galatasaray: More recently, Osimhen was loaned to Galatasaray, where he continued his remarkable form.
Personal Traits & Legacy
Osimhen is widely admired not just for his athletic skill, his speed, aerial ability, work rate, but also for his resilience, humility, and commitment to giving back.
He remains strongly connected to his roots in Lagos, often reflecting on his early struggles as sources of strength.
