₦airaland Forum

Galatasaray and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen opens up to UEFA about his Champions League ambitions, his deep love for Galatasaray, his Lagos upbringing, and more in this interview with UEFA

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I came from a very poor background. I’m the lastborn of seven. I lost my mum at a very young age, and my father passed on in 2020. Before I rose to fame, before I became someone important in life, my childhood was really tough because, as a young lad, I had to try to live for myself, to try to help my siblings also in raising money at that time and to make sure that we all came together to help our father after his wife passed away.

Olusosun shaped me to become the kind of person I am today, and, as much as I wouldn’t say it gave me so much, it actually taught me life lessons that have helped me through life’s journey. So, for me, it’s really an amazing place; that’s the reason why any time I’m in Nigeria, I always go there to show gratitude, to show the young kids that if I could make it out of this place, I believe that you can.

How have the Galatasaray fans made you feel?

I arrived in Istanbul, and I have never seen anything like this in my life before. It was unbelievable that there were so many of them at the airport. Many of them were tracking flights, and everything.

I think it was two or three o’clock in the morning. Many of them are fathers, many of them are husbands, many of them are wives. They were supposed to be sleeping with their family, just relaxing at home, but they are outside for one person.

After that, you will just have that fire in you to make sure that for every sweat you give, every run you make, you make it for the badge. I absolutely love this club and I’m ready to go through everything with them: the good, the bad and the ugly – but I hope more good than bad!

What are your ambitions in the Champions League?

I spoke with the president when I arrived here, and we want to really make a statement in the Champions League. We want to show that, in Türkiye, we are the team that the whole world will know this year because we actually did something amazing in Europe.

We’ve dominated the league for years. We will keep on dominating it, but now it’s time to make a statement in the most prestigious games, Champions League games, because it’s beautiful when you play in the Champions League. So, for us, we want to make a statement.

Who are your childhood heroes?

For me, it’s my brother in life, and then, in football, it’s Didier Drogba. I saw the way my brother used to work because he sells sports newspapers. And if you sell sports newspapers in Nigeria, you can stay on the roadside, or you have your newspaper in your hand and you walk through the cars and hold up. He was the person who actually inspired me to hustle so hard. In the footballing aspect, it was Drogba because I saw him and I tried to model my game after his, and I tried to see how he plays, and how he’s living life outside of football. So, I have to be grateful for that man because for all I am now, I think I attribute some of my successes to him. He was the one that I actually picked to see the way he plays, to try to add some of his qualities, some of the things that he does that make him one of the most sought-after strikers in world football during his playing time. So, for me, it’s my brother in life, also, and then, in football, it’s Didier Drogba.

Source: https://punchng.com/olusosun-made-me-who-i-am-osimhen/#google_vignette

Out of black pot, white paps come from. God bless you bro.

Victor Osimhen is the ONLY world-class player in the Super Eagles team. Others shine today and becomes uselezzzzzz in their next match. The media will hype them for the few days they performed well.

Shine on Victor

iwaeda:
Out of black pot, white paps come from.

My Grandma dey always use this line pray for us back then

that’s the reason why any time I’m in Nigeria, I always go there to show gratitude, to show the young kids that if I could make it out of this place, I believe that you can.

What Osimhen just said here is the main proof while some people often rejoice when they hear a Nigerian has achieved this or that globally or in a foreign country.

I usually see some clowns ask why we celebrate having 6 billionaires of Nigerian descent among the 25blacks globally recognised. Some would scold you for being happy that Aliko is number 1 in the world or for rejoicing over WS Nobel Prize. Its true that it doesnt affect me personally, but it helps break some psychological barrier that could make you believe the game is rigged against you

Olusosun didn't make you who you are, bro. Many of your peers at Olusosun are still poor and unmade. They will get more confused when then hear this. You are a product of dream and preparation having a handshake with opportunity.

It is about God's grace as you keyed in exploring and polishing the football talent God gave you, waiting for opportunity to break. It came.

In summary, some grassroots club owners took you and honed your talent. Emmanuel Amunike scouted you and showed you to the world at the U17 World Cup. From there through Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and now Turkey. The rest as they say is sweet history.

Give these people some credit, Victor. God bless grassroots coaches who are often forgotten in spite of their contributions to the supply chain. Believe me, it is not easy.

Up Ojota
Up Olusosun
Up Lagos state

God bless Osimen

Great100000:
Source: https://punchng.com/olusosun-made-me-who-i-am-osimhen/#google_vignette

So God didn't make you who you are it's was Olusosun that made you? Ungrateful beings

festacman:
Olusosun didn't make you who you are. You had football talent. Some grassroots club owner took you and honed your talent. Emmanuel Amunike scouted you and to U17 World Cup.

Person talk about himself, one unknown boy is wailing on his behalf. Who made you like this.

He truly plays like Didier Drogba. He is hungry and aggressive like Didier they have similar characteristics. Make you sign for Chelsea too like Drogba and become a legend.

saphiere:
So God didn't make you who you are it's was Olusosun that made you? Ungrateful beings

Context is everything. If to say you go school, you for know.

These guys should be looked into.

Jesus showed you mercy...it has nothing to do with oluosun

Na olodo full Nairaland

Keep shining my crush. My love for you long pass river Niger.

Werey
Give thanks to God
The gift of life is all

Nwaikpe:
These guys should be looked into.

P.O will fit and probably be number 1

The only reason I want nigeria at the world cup is because of osimhen. Dude deserves to be there

festacman:
Olusosun didn't make you who you are. Many of your peers of Olusosun are still poor and unmade.

It is about God's grace as you keyed in exploring and polishing the football talent God gave you, waiting for opportunity to break. It came.

In summary, some grassroots club owner took you and honed your talent. Emmanuel Amunike scouted you and showed to the world at the U17 World Cup. The rest as they say is sweet history.

Give these people some credit. Victor. Believe me, it is not easy. God bless grassroots coaches who are often forgotten in spite of their contributions to the supply chain.

Nawa o
See the way bitterness is oozing because Osimhen mentioned ‘Olusosun ‘ .
Someone is relaying his reality but one hateful nwosu is here crying because he mentioned a place that is apparently Yoruba .
Nawa for some of you 😂

EmperorIsaac:
Jesus showed you mercy...it has nothing to do with oluosun

It is not oluosun,you religious bombaclat.

It is the area in Lagos and not a Diety..

OK. Nice one Victor. Keep on shining and winning.

Pls where is that confused failure guy tht said "if you are from.poor background you are bond to fail in life"

Where are you come and read Osimeh story.

Is Osimeh Dangote son or Adenuga son?

Go and hustle, discover yourself, explore your talent and gift and focus surely you will do great exploit.

Laziness and Lamentation is a dream killer.

God bless Osimeh and every legit hustlers out there.

Thank you Olusosun.. Next story !!!

WesleyPepper:
Nawa o
See the way bitterness is oozing because Osimhen mentioned ‘Olusosun ‘ .
Someone is relaying his reality but one hateful nwosu is here crying because he mentioned a place that is apparently Yoruba .
Nawa for some of you 😂

Shame on you bigot for seeing everything from the lens of tribalism rather than logic. Small mindedness is a ailment of the mind. See a counsellor.

Great guy! He never stops talking about that place...humble beginning:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbjn2Nvk3X0?si=QPkUIvG4PyQmWDgG

KingMack:
That part he said I lost my mum at a very young age 🥺🥺

Wetin do that part? Yea I understand, but we all have lost something precious in our lifetime. Its part of life....

EmperorIsaac:
Jesus showed you mercy...it has nothing to do with oluosun

You mean Jesus christ of Nazareth in the region of Galilee that was born in Bethlehem came to naija all the way from Isreal to show Osimeh mercy?

well... na small una go dey wake up

Adeoyelee:
You mean Jesus christ of Nazareth in the region of Galilee that was born in Bethlehem came to naija all the way from Isreal to show Osimeh mercy?

well... na small una go dey wake up

who be this 'osimeh' sefff

He meant the struggle of Olusosun that ignite the spark in him before any other thing

helinues:
Shine on Victor

Thank you my brother.
I will never let you people down

All the very best Victor.

Going to the World Cup is the ultimate for any football player in the world 🌎 🏆