One of the most uplifting stories in the sports scene of Africa is arguably Victor James Osimhen whose life story has seen him rise to the top of the international football scene through the streets of Lagos.
Osimhen has ended up being a model of a fast, powerful and an aerial threat center forward, who is also a composed finisher. His performances are an example of what a full-fledged modern striker should be, which is a role model to the country.
By 2026, he will make his name and leave his legacy at continental European clubs, win the epic leagues and shine on the continental and world stage with the Super Eagles.
Early Life and Breakthrough
Osimhen was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 29, 1998 and lost his mother at a very tender age and thus grew up in a challenging environment. At the same time, he was following his dream of playing football at Ultimate Strikers Academy, and working to earn money in the street selling sachet water.
His turning point to his life, however, came in 2015, as he scored 10 goals and won the Golden Boot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, leading Nigeria to the trophy. It was out of this tournament that he started out in his professional life.
Club Career Overview
Early European Years
In 2017, Osimhen transferred to VfL Wolfsburg where he could not find playing time, scoring no goals in 16 games. His career was revived with a loan to Royal Charleroi and he turned out to be one of the most promising young strikers in Europe.
Rise in France
The action of pressing vigorously and making wise movements attracted the interests of the leading clubs in Europe because Osimhen had scored 18 goals in the 19-20 season in Lille OSC.
Legend Status at Napoli
In 2020, Napoli also signed Osimhen, at a record transfer fee. He repaid it by being central to their iconic Serie A triumph 2022-2023, thirty-three years after it won. He would also go on to become the first African to be Serie A’ s Golden Boot.
New Chapter at Galatasaray
Osimhen then signed with Galatasaray in 2024, where he enjoyed a record-breaking season in 2024-25, breaking several club records and winning Turkish Süper Lig Golden Boot. In 2026 he is still the focus of interest in the club’s offense and one of the most feared forwards in Europe.
Club Career Stats (Up to 2026)
|
Club
|
Appearances
|
Goals
|
Assists
|
|
VfL Wolfsburg
|
16
|
0
|
0
|
|
Royal Charleroi
|
36
|
20
|
4
|
|
Lille OSC
|
38
|
18
|
6
|
|
SSC Napoli
|
133
|
76
|
18
|
|
Galatasaray
|
58
|
44
|
9
|
|
Total
|
279
|
158
|
37
|
NigeriaOsimhen senior debut in 2017 in the following years he has established himself as the main attacker in the team. The way he leads, his work rate, and scoring of important goals have made him a permanent feature in the Super Eagles.
He is among the greatest strikers of all time in Nigeria.
AFCON 2025 (Played 2026): Performance & Impact.
Osimhen led a great Nigeria run in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Other than objectives, his urging, foot speed and prowess to vacate defenders also created space to his colleagues.
AFCON 2025 Stats
|
Category
|
Record
|
|
Matches Played
|
6
|
|
Goals
|
3
|
|
Assists
|
1
|
|
Chances Created
|
9
|
|
Key Impact
|
Led pressing, drew defenders, decisive in knockout rounds
|
Nigeria even reached the semi-final level, and Osimhen turned out to be an essential factor even in the games that the Nigerian did not score in.
Nigeria Career Stats (Up to 2026)
|
Category
|
Record
|
|
Caps
|
50
|
|
Goals
|
34
|
|
Assists
|
7
|
|
AFCON Tournaments
|
2019, 2023, 2025
|
|
All-Time Ranking
|
2nd highest scorer
|
He is now several goals short of the long-standing national record on goals set by Rashidi Yekini.
Style of Play
Victor Osimhen is the typical elite striker of the modern world who is described as:
Explosive pace and power
Strong aerial ability
Both feet clinical finish.
Unrelenting pushing and labour rate.
He is physical and smart when moving, thus can be applied on counter-attacks, in possession or in important matches.
Major Individual Honors
2022/2023- Seria A Champion
2022/2023- Seria A Golden boot winner
October 2023- Seria A Football Player of the Month
2023- African Footballer of the Year Winner
2023- Ballon d’Or Top 10
2024/2025 Türkiye Süper Lig Golden Boot. Winner
Conclusion
As of 2026, Victor Osimhen is more than a football star; he is a representation of football excellence in Nigeria. From Lagos, to the biggest of the big stages in Europe, from youth tournaments to the AFCON wars, his is a story of struggle, growth and the best of the best. With those goals, and those trophies, and that captaincy both at club and national team level; Osimhen is solidifying his legacy as potentially the greatest African striker of all time.
