When conversations turn to Nigerian football, it’s almost impossible to miss the mention of Victor Osimhen. The King of Naples, known as one of the best strikers in the world, has an outstanding record both as a Napoli and super eagles player. However, beyond the triumphs on the field, who is Victor Osimhen?
Who is Victor Osimhen?
Born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, Osimhen has been making waves with his talent, putting Nigeria on the global football map.
His journey in European football kicked off in 2017 when he joined VfL Wolfsburg in Germany. Luckily, Osimhen’s determination and skill shone through, leading to a loan at Charleroi in Belgium in 2018–19. His time there showcased his talent, and soon he moved to Lille in Ligue 1, scoring an impressive eighteen goals in one season.
In a big move in 2020, Osimhen made his mark in Serie A, signing for Napoli in a record-breaking deal of €70 million. His impact was immediate, winning the Serie A Best Young Player award in the 2021–22 season. The next season was historic – Osimhen finished as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals. This not only helped Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years but also made him the highest-scoring African player in Serie A history.
He also clinched the eighth spot at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, making him the first Nigerian to crack the top ten in the French awards.
Victor Osimhen’s Nationality
Victor Osimhen proudly identifies as Nigerian. Specifically, he hails from the Esan tribe, a subgroup of the larger Edo ethnic group in Nigeria. However, he was born and raised in Lagos state, Nigeria where he grew up in a struggling family.
“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, oranges in the street and me, bottled water in Lagos in the middle of the traffic,”
“We have to survive so we stick 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.
” 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. ”
Osimhen once explained in an exclusive interview with France Football.
When Did Victor Osimhen Begin His Football Career?
Victor Osimhen’s journey into the football spotlight began during the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. This earned him not only the Golden Boot but also the Silver Ball awards.
Following this impressive display, Osimhen’s professional journey took off. It feels like he said to himself, “U-17 was fun, but it’s time to take this to the big leagues.” That’s exactly what he did.
His early career saw him kickstarting things in Germany with VfL Wolfsburg in 2017. In 2020, Osimhen made his mark in Serie A, joining Napoli in a record-breaking transfer of €70 million.
Which Club Does Osimhen Play For?
The Nigerian goal-scoring maestro is currently making waves as a poacher for Napoli in Serie A.
How Old is Osimhen?
Born 29 December 1998, the Napoli Striker is 25 years old.
What is Osimhen’s Net Worth?
During the 2023/24 football season, he received an annual salary of $5,930,776. Napoli, a prominent Serie A club, acquired his talents for a noteworthy sum of €70 million, with the potential to escalate to €80 million, inclusive of extra bonuses. From this information, his estimated net worth stands at approximately 26-27 million Euros.
Who is Victor Osimhen’s Girlfriend: Is Osimhen Dating Stefanie Kim Ladewig?
Yes, the Nigerian football star, Victor Osimhen, is currently romantically linked with Stefanie Kim Ladewig, a German individual with Cameroonian roots. Stephanie was a cheerleader for Wolfsburg at the time they met.
Stefanie was born on September 13, 2000 and is currently 23 years old.
Related: Napoli President Claims Victor Osimhen Will Only Be Sold with Indecent Proposal
Osimhen Has A Daughter, He Revealed Her Name in 2022
He became a father for the first time in October 2022, after the birth of Haly.
In an interview with Il Martino, Osimhen said about his daughter Haly:
“It is the most fantastic thing that could have happened to me”
“I celebrate her after each goal, making the gesture of the initial of her name, H. Her name is Haly.
“I always want her close to me, because this is the memory I too always have of my father: him by my side. All the time.
“Time with her is precious. I want her to become a woman who always feels like she has her father by her side.”
Despite Osimhen’s fame, he prefers to keep information about his family very private.
Victor Osimhen’s Performance in 2024 AFCON
In the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Osimhen has lived up to expectations. In the first Super eagles match, he notched a crucial goal against Equatorial Guinea in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Additionally, he played a vital role in propelling Nigeria to the quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over Cameroon.
Osimhen’s Future Prospects and Plans To Transfer From Napoli
Before and after rejecting a $218m offer from a Saudi Arabia team last summer, there had been rumours of Osimhen’s transfer from Napoli.
Clarifying this rumour in an interview with CBS Sports, Osimhen said:
“The rumour is going around about me linked with the Premier League.”
“When you’re one of the hottest strikers on the globe, you expect this type of thing, and of course, the Premier League is one of the biggest and best leagues in the whole world.
“I’m with Napoli, I signed a new contract. I’m enjoying my time there. I think I’ve already made up my mind, I already know what I want to do in my career.
“Since I’ve started, I’ve been the one making my own decisions and everything is working out well for me. I already know the next step I want to take, so for now I just want to finish the season strong.
“I will [then] go relax somewhere with my daughter, think about my life and then finally come out with a decision that I’ve already made.”
Nevertheless, the star player is a target for many top clubs, including Manchester United.
