Africa’s superstar, Victor Osimhen has delivered one of the most emotional and revealing accounts of his life and career in a new UEFA Champions League documentary, offering unprecedented insight into his move to Galatasaray, his difficult childhood, the loss of his mother, and his rise to global football stardom.
The documentary captured one of the most emotional moments of Osimhen’s story — the death of his mother, a tragedy that deeply changed the direction of his life.
“I lost my mother from a very young age. My brother called and said: ‘Mom fell asleep and never woke up again.’
“When she left, it was really hard. Then my dad had to make sure he worked to feed us.
“My childhood was very tough” – Victor Osimhen
Osimhen tracked back to the place where his dreams took shape, Olusosun, a community built around one of Africa’s largest dumpsites, in Lagos, Nigeria.
He spoke with deep emotion and gratitude, reflecting on the hardships that molded him.
“I am grateful to God that I am where I am today. Before I rose to fame, my childhood was very tough.”
“I came from a very poor background. Where I grew up from is where the dream started to materialize.”
“There was a dumpsite where I grew up. My friends and I would go there to look for shoes.”
“If you found a right shoe of one brand and a left shoe of another, you put them together and used them the next day to play.”
“This place (Olusosun) is what shaped me.”
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Osimhen said football became the lifeline for him and his family following the loss of his mother. He credited his childhood coach, Mr. Eric Kewe, for nurturing the raw talent that would later take him to Europe.
“We needed to do something. Football was the only escape for me and my family to get out of poverty.”
“I was really young. We had this great man called Mr Eric Kewe, he assembled everyone. We called it Olusosun United.”
“He is one of the people that used to encourage the boys. We were promoted from the youths to train with the big boys, and that shaped me.”
“I knew I was going to make it” – Victor Osimhen
Osimhen said that even during the darkest days of his childhood, he never doubted his ability or the destiny he felt ahead of him.
“Growing up, I didn’t have the privilege of a good life, but I believed so much in my talent, knowing that I was going to make it in one way or the other.”
“I have never seen this in my life” – Osimhen on Galatasaray Reception
The Nigerian striker began by recounting his dramatic arrival in Istanbul, describing how unprepared he was for the scale of the love and attention that greeted him.
“I just had to do what I needed to do for my family and for myself. I am going to Galatasaray. I arrived in Istanbul, I have never seen this in my life.”
“The staff of the club said if I go outside, I am going to meet many of them. I asked, ‘The fans?’ He said yes, a lot of them are waiting for you.”
“I went there, it was incredible. I swear it was like a cold breeze came over me. Galatasaray is big, but I didn’t know it was this big until I was inside.”
“You just have the fire in you to make sure that for every sweat, you give for the badge. It was beautiful; this is where I want to be.”
“They breathe football” – Osimhen on Napoli Stardom
Osimhen also reflected on his transformation at Napoli and how former manager Luciano Spalletti pushed the team toward greatness and ultimately to the Serie A title.
“It was amazing because in Napoli they breathe football. Spalletti used to remind us that if you try to bring glory to the city again, you don’t know what you have done.”
“It gave me a sense of fulfillment” – CAF POTY Award
One of Osimhen’s most cherished achievements came in 2023 when he became African Player of the Year which was an honour he carried back home with immense pride.
“Winning the African Player of the Year in 2023 was huge. Bringing the trophy back to where it all started gave me a sense of fulfillment.”
“Where I see myself is greatness” – Osimhen
With a Champions League golden boot race currently being led by the Nigerian forward, the striker insists he is far from finished.
“Where I see myself in the future is greatness, but I have to keep on working so hard, improving day by day, and I think for sure I will get there.”
He ended the documentary with one of the most heartfelt statements — a tribute to the woman who never got to witness the heights he would reach.
“The death of my mom still hurts me today. For everything she sacrificed, she wasn’t able to be alive to enjoy it.”
A Journey Like No Other
From the dusty pitches of Olusosun to the thunderous arenas of Europe, Victor Osimhen’s rise is one of world football’s most extraordinary stories.
The 25-year-old has:
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Become Nigeria’s second-highest goal scorer with 31 goals
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Led the Super Eagles to the AFCON final
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Won the Serie A title with Napoli
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Lifted the Turkish Cup
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And currently tops the UEFA Champions League golden boot race with six goals
