Drogba Inspired Me from Cleaning Gutters to Playing Football, Says Osimhen

Napoli star Victor Osimhen recalls his journey to becoming a professional footballer, says: ‘I was cleaning gutters in Nigeria, I am grateful for where I am today.’

The Nigerian forward completed a €70m move from Lille to Napoli in 2020 becoming the most expensive African player of all time.

“It all started like a dream, a boyhood dream from the slum,” the 22-year-old said in an interview with his compatriot Paul Troost-Ekong on Youtube.

“I wanted to become a professional player, inspired by a lot of big legends like Didier Drogba, Odion Ighalo, Mikel Obi and many others.

“I feel like I have achieved this feat, it’s one of my biggest achievements in life,” the former striker added.

“When I was growing up I was cleaning the gutters for 20 Naira, for my landlord and did some cleaning jobs for my neighbours close to my house, fetch the water for 80 Naria I think.
“I found pleasure in doing these things because I believe when I worked so hard to get this money it was important for me, I had consciousness on how to spend this money and help my family.

“My brother was selling newspapers, my sister oranges. I was in the traffic with water and I’d had to chase cars, give them the water to get the money. I feel like these struggles helped me in life. “I am grateful for where I am today because of what I’ve been through, it shaped me into the man I am. I am really grateful to God for that.”

Osimhen moved to Europe in 2017 when Wolfsburg signed him from Ultimate Strikers Academy in Nigeria.

He then moved to Belgium and France playing for Charleroi and Lille. He scored 18 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions with the Ligue 1 side before moving to Napoli on a permanent deal.

The Nigeria international scored 10 goals in 24 Serie A appearances during his first season at the Stadio Maradona.

Osimhen has had a great start to the 2021-22 campaign with seven goals in eight games across all competitions.

His contract with the Partenopei expires in June 2025.
Meanwhile, Osimhen is now Nigeria’s joint most valuable player, an honour he shares with Leicester City holding midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

Transfermarkt updated the market value of Osimhen on Thursday and the Napoli striker is now valued at 60 million euros.

Osimhen is also the most valuable Napoli player, ranks sixth in the Serie A and the 49th most valuable player in the world at the moment.

The former Lille star has had a fine start to the 2021-2022 season, scoring nine goals combined in twelve appearances for club and country.

“After problems due to injuries last season, Osimhen is now showing that his transfer fee was well justified.,” Jatin Dietl, TM Area Manager Italy said on Osimhen.

“In addition to his seven goals in eight competitive matches, he is also taking on an important role when the opponent is in possession and is growing into a complete centre-forward.
“The €10 million increase to now €60 million represents a new career high for the Nigerian, who left VfL Wolfsburg for RSC Charleroi for just €3.5 million in 2019.”