Osimhen: I used to clean algae-filled gutters for N30
Victor Osimhen with CAF 2023 player of the year award
Nigerian football star and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, has shared a heartfelt story of his rise from the streets of Lagos to international stardom, revealing the struggles that shaped his resilience.
In a recent interview featured on teammate William Troost-Ekong’s YouTube channel, Osimhen recalled working odd jobs as a young boy in Olusosun, a densely populated community in Lagos.
Among the toughest, he said, was cleaning algae-filled gutters for just N30 and fetching water for households in exchange for N80—tasks he performed barefoot under the scorching sun.
Growing up in poverty, he learned the value of hard work early on. Osimhen often sold sachet water and newspapers in Lagos traffic to support his family, chasing cars and hustling for every single naira. “Where I grew up, nothing is promised,” he said, adding that his environment forced him to mature quickly. But those difficult experiences, he stressed, became the foundation of the discipline, courage, and humility that now define his career.
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The Super Eagles striker also spoke about how African legends like Didier Drogba and Odion Ighalo inspired him to dream beyond his circumstances. With each struggle, from street vending to sweeping drains, he found motivation to keep pushing. “The struggles helped me in life,” he said with conviction, noting that they not only built his work ethic but also made him deeply grateful for every opportunity.
Today, Osimhen is one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers, playing at the highest levels in Europe and winning the Serie A title with Napoli. But despite the fame and success, his feet remain firmly on the ground. His journey, marked by pain and perseverance, has become a powerful reminder that greatness can rise from the gutters—literally—when fuelled by purpose and grit.