Victor Osimhen is now one of the best strikers in the world. He scores goals in packed stadiums and earns millions from the game he loves.
His protective mask, which has become one of his most recognisable symbols, reflects his strength, resilience, and refusal to break even after painful injuries and personal setbacks.
Despite his success, Osimhen remains humble and grounded. At heart, he is still the same boy who once fought to survive on the streets of Lagos. 
He recently opened up about his life in The Players’ Tribune, sharing painful memories, personal losses, and the struggles that shaped him.
These are some of the most emotional things you probably never knew about Victor Osimhen.
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6 Emotional Moments in Victor Osimhen’s Life
1. He lost his mother as a toddler
His mother died when he was just two or three years old, all he remembers is being held by her. He was too young to fully understand it, but the impact shaped his entire life.
She had been the pillar of the family, and after her death, everything collapsed. His father lost his job, and survival became a daily struggle.
Osimhen grew up without the comfort, protection, and stability most children take for granted.
I looked up into the sky and I asked God, “What kind of life is this for a child???”
2. He grew up beside a massive dump
Osimhen grew up in Olusosun, Lagos, right next to one of Africa’s biggest landfills. His childhood playground was surrounded by garbage, chemical waste, and broken items.
When he wanted football boots, he went to the dump with his friends and searched for discarded boots and sometimes found only one shoe at a time — a left from one pair, a right from another.
3. He stopped playing football to help his family survive
Osimhen stopped playing football so he could work. His sisters sold oranges on the street. He sold bottled water in traffic, running between cars to earn money.
And every naira he earned went straight to his family.
Around that time, I stopped playing football completely. I had to help my family put food on the table
He was 12 years old at this time.
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4. Victor Osimhen was a hustler
Besides hawking on the street, Osimhen took on other small jobs just to survive. He worked for a pastor, helping to collect people’s email addresses for a church newsletter. He also sold Bible study materials on the street to earn extra money.
He also took soakaway jobs, climbing down filthy wells. At the time, his family home had no proper roof, so he often slept in the church.
If you called my phone at 2 a.m. with a job, I’d pick up.
5. He was rejected, and thought his football dream was over
While hustling to survive, Osimhen still played football for his church team. One day, he heard about an Under-17 trial. He turned up with 300 kids and made it to the final 30 but was dropped because they only needed 27. He almost gave up at this stage.
His neighbour encouraged him to try again, this time at a bigger trial in Abuja with 900 kids. He was given just 15 minutes on the pitch, but he made them count, scoring two goals. That performance finally earned him a place, marking the start of his professional journey.
My life changed so fast. The next year, we went to play in the U-17 World Cup in Chile, and I exploded. I scored 10 goals in 7 games and won the Golden Boot.
6. He broke down emotionally when his father died
Years later, while pursuing his career abroad, Osimhen received devastating news that his father was dying. But he could not go because his club and agent didn’t give him clearance.
He was getting worse.
So I started panicking. I was calling every hour, begging them.
But that’s when I started to understand the dark side of football. The business.
His father eventually died while he was waiting on them, and he lost control.
I remember I threw the phone and I just went crazy. I tore up the entire house. Smashed everything. I was out of my mind.
He even thought about quitting football completely. For him, family mattered more than fame.
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