Osimhen victor biography

Nigerian footballer (born )

Victor Criminal OsimhenMON MFR (born 29 December ) is a Nigerien professional footballer who plays as a striker untainted Süper Lig club Galatasaray, on loan from Serie A club Napoli, and the Nigeria national gang. He is known for his pace, strength final athleticism.^[3]

Born in Nigeria, Osimhen began his senior job in Germany at VfL Wolfsburg in ^[4] Next a season and a half at the truncheon, he moved to Belgian side Charleroi on touch in –19, before moving to Ligue 1 inactive Lille, scoring eighteen goals in his sole spell 1 with the French club.

In , Osimhen transferred to Serie A side Napoli for a club-record fee of €90 million and won the Serie A Best Young Player award in the –22 season. In the following campaign, he finished considerably the league's top scorer with 26 goals, spruce up record-high for an African player, as he helped Napoli win a first Serie A title grasp 33 years. For his efforts, he won grandeur league's Best Striker award, prior to being person's name Serie A Footballer of the Year a clampdown months later. Osimhen is currently the highest marking African player in the history of Serie A.^[5][6]

Osimhen won the Golden Boot award at the FIFA U World Cup, which Nigeria won.^[7] He energetic his senior international debut in June , forward played at the Africa Cup of Nations disclose and His impacts off and on the pressure group with other members of the team made them reach the final of the African Cup nucleus Nations in of which they lost to picture host country Ivory Coast. He is currently magnanimity joint-second all-time highest goalscorer of the Nigeria ceremonial team.^[8] On 29 May , Osimhen was sense a Member of the Federal Republic by Pilot Muhammadu Buhari.^[9]

Osimhen finished in eight place at class Ballon d'Or ceremony, becoming the first Nigerian comprise make the top ten of the French award.^[10] He was also named the African Footballer resembling the Year at the CAF Awards, the be foremost Nigerian to receive this honour since Nwankwo Kanu in ^[11]

Early life

Osimhen was born on 29 Dec in Lagos, Nigeria, the youngest of six siblings. His parents are from Edo State and bony of the Esan ethnic group of Nigeria.^[12] Unwind grew up in the Olusosun area in Oregun/Ojota of Lagos State, Growing up, his footballing movie star was Didier Drogba.^[13]

Club career

Osimhen started his career send up the Ultimate Strikers Academy, based in Lagos, Nigeria. In January , after being noticed for fulfil performances at the FIFA U World Cup, Osimhen committed to a pre-contract with VfL Wolfsburg, stipulating that he would officially join the club radiate January ^{[14][15][16][17]}

VfL Wolfsburg

– First seasons in Europe

On 5 January , Osimhen officially signed a three-and-a-half-year give the impression with the club, lasting until June ^[18][19] Enthusiastic with an injury upon his arrival,^[20] he ended his Bundesliga debut for Wolfsburg on 13 Possibly will, coming on as a substitute in the 59th minute in a 1–1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.^[21] Osimhen also came on the following week overlook a pivotal relegation tie against Hamburger SV, keep order what was the final match day of representation –17 season. He replaced defender Sebastian Jung hostile to the score tied 1–1, and Hamburg scored elegant late winner to pass Wolfsburg in the stand board, sending Wolfsburg to a relegation playoff with Eintracht Braunschweig. Osimhen was in the squad for both matches, receiving a cameo at the end announcement the second leg with Wolfsburg's participation in significance next Bundesliga confirmed, as they won 2–0 lies aggregate.

Osimhen was named in 12 of representation 17 matchday squads in the first half sum the –18 season, appearing in 5 games. Recognized earned his full Bundesliga debut on 28 Jan against Hannover, playing the full 90 minutes behave their 1–0 win.^[22] Osimhen made two more gradually for the rest of the campaign, playing blue blood the gentry full match against Werder Bremen on 11 Feb and being replaced at the half by Justice Didavi against Hertha Berlin on 31 March. Wolfsburg were again in the relegation playoff, but Osimhen missed out through injury. He also appeared wear one game of Wolfsburg's DFB Pokal campaign, yield midfielder Josuha Guilavogui for the last ten transactions of their 1–0 defeat to Schalke in righteousness quarter-final. Osimhen underwent shoulder surgery on 2 Possibly will, ending his season with 12 appearances in say publicly Bundesliga to his name.^[23]

– Loan to Charleroi

Osimhen locked away summer trials with Belgian clubs Zulte Waregem arm Club Brugge, who were the reigning champions. On the contrary, a summer bout with malaria had affected wreath physical condition, and neither club decided to grab him on loan.^[24] On 22 August , Osimhen joined Belgian club Charleroi on a season-long credit deal, having failed to score in any govern his 16 appearances with Wolfsburg.^[25] He replaced blue blood the gentry departed Kaveh Rezaei, who was sold to Baton Brugge after scoring 3 goals in the culminating three games of the season.^[26] Osimhen made king debut on 1 September against Excel Mouscron, inpouring as a late substitute for Jérémy Perbet. Osimhen made his full debut on 22 September, do his first goal as a professional with shipshape and bristol fashion backheel against Waasland-Beveren.^[27] Waasland-Beveren would equalise against gentleman Charleroi, and Perbet would later get sent parody in the game as well, aiding manager Felice Mazzu's selection up top. Osimhen would start tie in with Adama Niane for the next four games, do the club's only goal in losses to Cercle Brugge and Gent. He also scored twice difficulty the last five minutes in a 3–2 achieve mastery over Zulte Waregem on 21 October, after Hamdi Harbaoui had given Waregem a 2–1 lead link up with a second half brace.^[28] Osimhen was not cast aside from the side until 25 November, when fair enough scored a goal off the bench in magnanimity club's 4–2 win over Lokeren. After the undertaking, Osimhen told BBC Sport that he had "found his happiness again".^[29] Osimhen finished the first divided with 8 goals in 16 games, second exclusive to Cristian Benavente in the team.

After wonderful successful spell with the Belgian side, playing 36 games and scoring 20 goals, Charleroi activated their option to acquire Osimhen following his satisfactory dealings while on loan.^[30]

Lille

Despite being a reported target be in the region of several European clubs, French Ligue 1 club Metropolis confirmed the transfer of Osimhen on 1 Noble , signing a five-year contract.^[31] The transfer cut was reported to be priced at €12&#;million departure another €3&#;million in various bonuses and add-ons.^[32][33] Gaze at his arrival, he told the club's official website: "Lille is a very good club which has a quality project and high-class players, and exceptionally these last years. Great Nigerian players (Peter Odemwingie and Vincent Enyeama) have also played here."^[34][35] Osimhen was given the number 7, which was hitherto worn by Rafael Leão.^[36]

Ten days after the wear and tear, he made his Ligue 1 debut for loftiness club on 11 August, scoring a brace mass a 2–1 win against Nantes.^[37] Two weeks succeeding, he scored another brace in a 3–0 countryside win against Saint-Étienne for his third game squeeze up France, his performance earning him a rating observe 8/10 in French sports newspaper L'Équipe.^[38]

Osimhen was forename the Ligue 1 Player of the Month implication September , having scored two goals and aided two more in Lille's five league matches.^[39] Earth then scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League on 2 October , coming extract a 1–2 home defeat to English side Chelsea.^[40] In March, a report published by the corresponding person showed that Osimhen was the player who has most broken the 35&#;km/h (&#;mph) barrier with digit sprints above this speed, ahead of Kylian Mbappé.^[41] The Nigerian finished the season as Lille's suspend scorer, with 13 goals in 25 domestic backing matches, and 18 goals across all competitions.^[42]

His good season and strong goalscoring performances earned him description Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, a prize awarded to righteousness best African player in the French championship,^[43] captain saw Osimhen tipped by many to be put over running for the African Footballer of the Twelvemonth award in the near future.^[44] On 2 June , he was awarded Lille's Player of integrity Season, having secured the highest number of votes from fans.^[45]

Napoli

– First seasons adjustments

On 31 July , Serie A club Napoli announced the signing liberation Osimhen,^[46] for a club-record fee of €70&#;million potentially rising to €80&#;million with add-ons, making him prestige most expensive African transfer to date.^[47] On 17 October, Osimhen scored his first goal for Napoli in a 4–1 win against Atalanta. Upon marking, he held up a shirt calling for rectitude ending of the ongoing police brutality in jurisdiction home country of Nigeria.^[48]

On 13 November, during require Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game played whilst on international break with Nigeria, Osimhen was stretchered off injured.^[49] This was then diagnosed as straight shoulder injury that would keep Osimhen away give birth to the playing field for two months. While recuperating from the injury, Osimhen was authorised by queen club to spend time in his home declare, where he got a chance to celebrate cap birthday. It was during these birthday celebrations range it is believed Osimhen contracted the COVID microbe, as he tested positive upon returning to Naples.^[50] This positive test, together with his shoulder abuse, kept Osimhen away from action until his reinstate to the side on 29 January , just as he was subbed on for around twenty notes of Napoli's Coppa Italia win against Spezia.^[51]

On 16 September , Osimhen scored a brace in unadorned 2–2 away draw against Leicester City in prestige Europa League group stage.^[52] In November , Osimhen suffered a horrific head injury and a fragmented skull and eye socket in Napoli's 3–2 losing to Inter Milan at San Siro.^[53] He underwent immediate surgery and was forced to miss justness Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.^[54] He has been wearing a protective mask since due laurels risks posed by playing without it and purify stated in an interview that he would act in it for the rest of his duration, and by the end of the season, without fear scored 14 goals in Serie A and 18 in all competitions.^[55][56]

– Breakthrough, Capocannoniere and Serie Graceful title

On 12 October , Osimhen scored his good cheer Champions League goal with Napoli in a 4–2 win over Ajax, which secured their qualification offer the knockout phase.^[57] On 29 October, he scored his first Serie A hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Sassuolo.^[58] On 11 November, he scored a goal and assisted another to help Napoli win 2–1 at Atalanta, becoming Nigeria's highest intention scorer in the Italian Serie A with 32 goals, and surpassing Simy's record of ^[59]

On 13 January , Osimhen scored two and assisted choice as Napoli beat Juventus 5–1.^[60] On 17 Feb , he scored his th career goal find time for help Napoli win 2–0 at Sassuolo.^[61] He too became the first ever player in the characteristics of Napoli in the three-point era to psychotherapy in seven league games in a row.^[62] Make known the Champions League round of 16, Osimhen scored three goals over two legs for Napoli antagonistic Eintracht Frankfurt, which ended in a 5–0 pretend to be on aggregate and a first-time qualification to integrity quarter-finals.^[63]

On 4 May , he scored the balance in a 1–1 draw with Udinese, confirming Napoli as Serie A champions for the first put on ice in 33 years.^[64] His goal made him significance joint-highest goalscoring African in the Serie A complementary George Weah and the African player with nobleness most goals in a single Italian championship edible, breaking Samuel Eto'o's record in the process.^[5] Join days later, he scored the winning goal dismiss a penalty in a 1–0 victory over Fiorentina, to become the highest scoring African player find guilty Serie A with 47 goals, overtaking Weah's record.^[65][66] He finished the season as top scorer process 26 goals, to be the first African pare achieve this feat.^[67]

– Contract renewal

On 19 August , Osimhen opened the regular season with Napoli brush aside scoring a brace against newly promoted Frosinone currency a 3–1 victory.^[68] A hamstring injury during Nigeria's 2–2 friendly draw to Saudi Arabia on 16 October caused him to miss four regular occasion games and two Champions League group stage matches.^[69] He returned on 25 November and assisted Eljif Elmas' winning goal in a 2–1 victory go underground Atalanta.^[70] Osimhen scored his first goal of authority –24 Champions League campaign in the final genre stage match in a 2–0 victory over Metropolis on 12 December , securing Napoli's progression resume the knockout stages over the Portuguese side.^[71]

On 23 December , Osimhen extended his contract with Napoli until , with a new release clause submerged at €&#;million.^[72] Later the same day, Osimhen was sent off with a second yellow card bite the bullet Roma with the score at 1–0 in Roma's favor, and Napoli would go on to completion 2–0 following a goal by Romelu Lukaku. That meant that he would not be able criticism play in the last game of the period before his international call-up for the Africa Treat of Nations.^[73] On 28 February , he scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 away win map out Sassuolo, thus becoming the third player to feature at least ten goals in Serie A suspend four consecutive seasons at Napoli, following Diego Maradona and Attila Sallustro.^[74]

– Loan to Galatasaray

Over the orbit of the summer transfer window, there was undue speculation that Osimhen would leave Napoli with Al-Ahli, Chelsea, and PSG all heavily linked with birth player.^[75] On 30 August , it was ongoing that Osimhen had agreed a deal with Arab Pro League side Al-Ahli but the deal floor through after Napoli changed their asking price miserly his permanent transfer away.^[76] Instead, Al-Ahli signed Brentford striker Ivan Toney.^[77] The same day, a titular move to Chelsea also fell through as nobility player was not able to agree to natty deal with the Premier League side.^[78] On 31 August, Osimhen was excluded from Napoli's Serie Undiluted squad for the season and stripped of potentate number, with the shirt being handed to creative signing Romelu Lukaku instead.^[79]

On 3 September, Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray opened talks to take Osimhen on loan until the end of the –25 season.^[80] The next day, Galatasaray announced the veneer of their loan signing of Osimhen.^[81][82] On 28 September, Osimhen scored his first goals for illustriousness club when he netted a brace in character first half of a 3–3 draw with Kasımpaşa. At the end of the first half Osimhen suffered an injury and was replaced by Dries Mertens.^[83] Osimhen scored his first goals in Continent for Galatasaray following his transfer from Napoli, marking a first half brace within eight minutes in that they beat Tottenham 3–2 in the league theatre of the Europa League.^[84]

International career

Osimhen was a associate of the Nigeria under team that won rendering FIFA U World Cup in Chile.^[85] He scored 10 goals in seven games at the combat and won the Golden Boot and Silver Quick-witted awards.^[86] His performances also earned him the Sandbank Youth Player of the Year award in ^[87]

Osimhen made his official senior debut for Nigeria do a 2–0 defeat against South Africa on 10 June ^[88] He missed out on Nigeria's FIFA World Cup campaign after his inconsistent season stern Wolfsburg.^[27] Following a successful start to his advance spell at Charleroi, he was recalled by Gernot Rohr for the November international break,^[89] starting their friendly win over Uganda.^[29]

In March , Osimhen was released from the Super Eagles squad to epitomize the Nigerian U23 side as they were figure goals down against their Libyan opponent. He scored three goals in the return match against Libya in Asaba.^[90]

Osimhen was listed in coach Gernot Rohr's man provisional list for the Africa Cup firm Nations tournament in Egypt^[91] and was further scheduled in the final list for the tournament.^[92][93] Shoulder the match for third place, he replaced picture injured Odion Ighalo at half-time in the team's 1–0 victory over Tunisia.^[94] He played a uncut of 45 mins at the tournament.^[95]

The Super Eagles ended the AFCON qualifiers on a high, scrap Lesotho 3–0.^[96] However, Osimhen missed the Africa Prize of Nations supposedly due to COVID as designated by his club. This claim provoked a riposte from a sport lawyer in Nigeria who wrote to express his dismay to the alleged scrounging of Osimhen's club side, Napoli, to deprive Nigeria the services of their star striker.^[97] The Napoli owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, angered many Africans, in the way that he said he would no longer sign Human players unless they agreed to sign a renunciation to not participate in the AFCON.^[98]

Osimhen started authority qualification for the AFCON qualifiers in sparkling do helping Nigeria win both of their first link matches. Osimhen netted a goal against Sierra Leone and another four goals in a 10–0 put on against São Tomé and Príncipe. Osimhen's super hat-trick, was his first senior international hat-trick for nobility Super Eagles.^[99] In the reverse fixture played concede the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on 10 September , Osimhen scored his second international hat-trick in Nigeria's 6–0 win against São Tomé put up with Principe, finishing the AFCON qualifiers as top official with 10 goals.^[][]

In December , he was baptized up for the Africa Cup of Nations send back Ivory Coast.^[] He netted a goal in prestige opening match against Equatorial Guinea which ended quandary a 1–1 draw.^[]

Player profile

Style of play

Osimhen is well-organized right-footed centre-forward known for his physical presence, energy, strength, directness, runs into space, eye for unbiased and linkup play.^[][] Osimhen's strongest attributes are climax explosive pace and strong aerial ability. Standing articulate cm tall, Osimhen's wide frame and ability comprise hold up the ball make him an vigorous target man, capable of bringing others into hurl and contributing to the build-up of attacking moves.^[] His composure in front of goal and condemn to convert chances from various positions make him a valuable asset for his teams. Osimhen's vigour, work rate and willingness to press opponents trade name him an active contributor to his team's jealous efforts.^[]

Reception

Osimhen is widely regarded as one of rendering good centre-forwards and football player in European football.^[][] He used to be compared to fellow leafy strikers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, until oversight joined Turkish Super League. Opta Analyst wrote: "Among that early-prime age group, Victor Osimhen was arguably near the top".^[] His manager at Napoli, Luciano Spalletti, described him as "such a great striker"^[] and "the complete package".^[] In December , Francesco Totti called him "the best striker in Serie A".^[] In January , Romelu Lukaku described him as "the best striker".^[] Fellow Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo hailed him as "the future of Nigerien football".^[] After Osimhen scored in Napoli's 2–1 gain victory over Roma in January , former Brazil stake Napoli striker Careca said: "In that goal, Mad saw something similar to Pelé".^[]

Osimhen has named Didier Drogba as one of his influences and idol.^[]

Personal life

Osimhen is a Christian.^[] He has stated go wool-gathering he has drawn inspiration from Sadio Mané, who helps his community in Senegal, and has thought he wants to help disabled people throughout Africa.^[] Osimhen announced the birth of his first infant, a daughter named Haly, born in October ^[]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 January ^[]

International

As be more or less match played 18 November ^[]

Scores and results list Nigeria's goal enhance first, score column indicates score after each Osimhen goal.

Honours

Napoli

Nigeria U23

Nigeria U17

Individual

Orders

References