Victor Osimhen: 26 fun facts about Napoli-owned Super Eagles star as he turns 26

Super Eagles talisman, Victor Osimhen, who is one of Africa’s finest footballer, celebrates his 26th birthday today, Soccernet.ng reports.

It is no longer news that the former LOSC Lille forward rose from humble beginnings in Lagos to becoming one of the most sought-after strikers in the world.

The Napoli-owned Super Eagles forward—currently on loan at Galatasaray—has captured the hearts of the Nigerian football community, as well as fans worldwide, with his incredible talent.

To mark this special occasion, here are 26 fun and fascinating facts about the Nigerian star.

1. Full Name: Victor James Osimhen.

2. Date of Birth: December 29, 1998.

3. Place of Birth: Lagos, Nigeria.

4. Position: Centre-forward.

5. Height: 185 cm (6 ft 1 in).

6. Playing Foot: Right-footed.

7. Early Life: Osimhen faced significant hardships growing up, including the loss of his mother at a young age. To support his family, he worked as an errand boy in his neighborhood.

8. Youth Career: He began his football journey at the Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos.

9. International Debut: Osimhen made his senior international debut for Nigeria in June 2017 under the guidance of Gernot Rohr.

10. 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup: He won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball award, scoring 10 goals and two assists which helped Nigeria secure the title.

11. Transfer to Europe: In January 2017, Osimhen officially signed his first professional contract with VfL Wolfsburg in Germany.

12. Lille OSC: In 2019, Osimhen transferred to French club Lille for a reported €12 million.

13. Napoli Transfer: In 2020, he moved to Serie A side Napoli for a club-record fee of €70 million.

14. Serie A Achievements: In the 2022–23 season, Osimhen finished as Serie A’s top scorer with 26 goals, which set a new record for an African player in the league.

15. Serie A Title: His goal-scoring prowess was instrumental in Napoli winning their first Serie A title in 33 years during the 2022–23 season.

16. Individual Honours: He was named Serie A Footballer of the Year in 2023.

17. African Footballer of the Year: In 2023, Osimhen became the first Nigerian to win the African Footballer of the Year award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

18. Ballon d’Or Ranking: He finished eighth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, becoming the first Nigerian to make the top ten.

19. National Team Impact: Osimhen’s performances were crucial in Nigeria reaching the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were runners-up to Ivory Coast.

20. Personal Honours: On May 29, 2023, he was made a Member of the Federal Republic by President Muhammadu Buhari.

21. Family: Osimhen has a daughter called Haly.

22. Influences: He has cited Didier Drogba as one of his footballing idols.

23. Transfer speculations: In 2024, reports indicated that Osimhen was a prime target for Chelsea, with discussions about a potential transfer.

24. Contractual Details: In 2024, Osimhen secured a move to Galatasaray on loan, with a unique clause allowing him to leave in January.

25. Jersey number: Osimhen typically dons jersey number 9, but he has recently expressed a distinct preference for jersey number 45, which he considers his lucky charm.

26. Philanthropy: He is involved in charitable activities.