I have surpassed my goal as a footballer: Osimhen

Nigerian footballer and Napoli star player, Victor Osimhen has said that he attributes his success as a footballer to a lot of pain, tears and failures that have shaped him into the star player he is today.

Speaking to Nigerian sports content creator Oma Akatugba, Osimhen said on Instagram on Monday that he had surpassed the personal expectations he had set for his career and that he owes his success to God.

The Serie A top scorer so far this 2022/23 season said he had faced many obstacles in his journey to the top, adding that many looked down on him and never expected him to reach the level of success he currently enjoys. He also said he is happy to prove his opponents wrong.

When asked if he had surpassed his goal as a footballer, Osimhen said: “For me more than 100 percent, more like 1001 percent, because I’ve set a standard for myself, the kind of life I want to live and even when it’s not I was doing so well, I kept believing, dreaming, praying and working hard, doing all sorts of odd jobs before returning to my true love, football.

“There were many obstacles along the way to get to where I am today. Lots of hate, backstabbing and also love. I attribute my success to a lot of love, pain, tears, failures. Many did not believe that I would make it, they said that I would not survive the two years. I was laughed at when two clubs rejected me in Belgium, but I never let them all come to me.

“You either take it as they said it or you prove them absolutely wrong. God so good I’ve proven them wrong. I play in one of the best clubs in Europe, I have been nominated for the youth player of the year, I have won so many personal awards for myself, which I think is a huge milestone for me, considering that I have many life-threatening problems been through, I came back and I’m doing pretty well with myself.

“That’s why I’m so thankful to God every time I wake up and thank him for everything because if I hadn’t gotten to where I am today I would have given a lot of people a reason to get into my career. I win against all odds and I won against people who had written me off and wished me ill on my journey.

“I’m so thankful to God for where I am right now and I know he’s not done with me yet.”

The PUNCH previously reported that Osimhen is currently the Nigerian top scorer in the five major European leagues and is the highest goalscorer in Italy’s Serie A so far this season with 14 goals in 16 games played.

The 24-year-old, who plays as a striker for Napoli, has been in top form this season and also has three assists to his name.

He has also been linked with a possible move from Manchester United in the summer and is estimated to be worth more than £120 million.