Nigerian football superstar Victor Osimhen has opened up about his humble beginnings in a deeply personal letter, detailing how the hardships of his childhood in Lagos shaped him into one of the world’s best strikers.
In a piece published by The Players’ Tribune, the Galatasaray forward reflected on growing up near the Olusosun dumpsite, one of the largest in Africa.
Osimhen explained that his journey was never about fame, but about survival and the love of the game.
Osimhen described his early life as a daily battle for food and basic needs.
He recalled selling bottled water in the middle of Lagos traffic to help his family.
Despite the poverty, he found joy on the dusty pitches of his neighbourhood.
"I am just a boy from Olusosun who had a dream," Osimhen stated.
"Where I come from, the odds are stacked against you from the day you are born.
"You don’t dream of playing in the Champions League; you dream of finding enough to eat."
The striker also touched on his famous protective mask, which has become his trademark.
While fans see it as a symbol of a "superhero," Osimhen sees it as a reminder of his resilience following a horrific facial injury in 2021.
"The mask is part of me now," he explained.
"But the real protection I had was the values my father and my community gave me.
"They taught me that no matter how many times you fall, you must get back up."
Now playing for the Turkish giants Galatasaray after a historic run in Italy with Napoli, Osimhen says he plays for every kid back home who feels trapped by their circumstances.
"I want the kids in Olusosun to look at me and know that it is possible," he added.
"Success isn’t just about the goals I score; it’s about the hope I can give to someone who is where I used to be."
Osimhen concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the Super Eagles, noting that representing Nigeria remains the "greatest honour" of his professional career.
