Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is the rave of the moment in France, scoring goals for fun and tearing defences apart for his French club Lille.
The former U-17 World Cup hero seems to have the world at his feet as he lives the dream of becoming known in the far corners of the world.
However, the true story of this 20-year-old lad is one of humble beginnings, survival against steep odds and that time-tested never-say-die Nigeria spirit.
Osimhen finally opened up to France Football, recounting his rugged journey to fame and stardom, Soccernet.ng reports.
The hard life in Olusosun, a poor area of Lagos
“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 organized 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.”
His childhood memories
“Where I grew up, people live on the other side of an open dump. With my friends, we went there every Friday or Sunday to find crampons and 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.
“We were looking for crampons. 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.”
Next to football …
“I often think of where I come from and where I want to go. I still have a long way to go. When I think of Olusosun … This is not a place that offers you promises. But I never gave up.
“The path of my life has never been easy. When I come home or in my free time, I think about how I got there, the little celebrity that I have to manage. I read too.”
The defenses that have tightened in Ligue 1 in his second match
“The second game against Amiens, I felt the difference. But if I’m at my best, I’m not afraid of anyone.
“You know, when I was a kid, I did not play with guys my age. They were older, taller. I was nudging, pushing, kicking my ankles … I’m ready for all that.”
Image Credit: France Football
