Victor Osimhen Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / August 22, 2025
As the football world enters 2025, few names resonate with as much power, pace, and promise as Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian striker, once a raw talent from Lagos, has ascended to the pinnacle of world football—leading Napoli as a club legend, dominating Serie A, and emerging as one of the most feared forwards on the planet.
After a turbulent 2023–24 season marked by injury and controversy, Victor Osimhen’s 2024–25 campaign has been nothing short of redemptive, dominant, and historic.
Then: The Humble Beginnings – A Star Forged in Adversity (1998–2019)
1. Early Life in Lagos, Nigeria
Born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, Victor James Osimhen grew up in a large family with limited means. Football was his escape—a way to dream beyond the challenges of poverty and overcrowded streets.
He joined Dreams FC, a youth academy in Lagos known for producing top Nigerian talent. His explosive pace, aerial ability, and relentless finishing quickly set him apart.
2. U-17 World Cup Breakthrough (2015)
Osimhen’s global breakthrough came at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Playing for Nigeria’s “Golden Eaglets,” he scored 10 goals in 7 games, winning the Golden Boot and leading Nigeria to their fifth U-17 title.
His performances—marked by speed, power, and clinical finishing—earned him comparisons to Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba. Scouts from across Europe took notice.
3. Early European Career: From Wolfsburg to Lille
In 2017, Osimhen signed with VfL Wolfsburg, but struggled to adapt and was loaned to Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands. There, he exploded:
- 20 goals in 35 games (2018–19)
- Named Eredivisie Talent of the Month multiple times
His form earned a €20 million move to Lille OSC in 2019.
At Lille, he became a sensation:
- 18 goals in 38 games (2019–20)
- Key player in Lille’s shock Ligue 1 title win in 2020–21
- Won the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2021
By 2021, Osimhen wasn’t just a prospect—he was a proven goal machine.
Related: Marcus Rashford Then and Now
The Rise: Napoli’s Number Nine and African Icon (2022–2023)
1. Record-Breaking Move to Napoli
In July 2022, Napoli signed Osimhen for €70 million—a club-record fee—making him one of the most expensive African players in history.
In the 2022–23 season, he delivered a career-defining campaign:
- 26 goals in 32 Serie A appearances
- Led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years
- Won the Capocannoniere (Serie A Golden Boot)
- Named Serie A Footballer of the Year
His blend of power, speed, and technical finishing made him unstoppable. Whether scoring with his head, left foot, or blistering runs behind defenders, Osimhen became the face of Napoli’s renaissance.
2. Ballon d’Or Recognition and Global Stardom
Victor Osimhen finished 8th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or voting—the highest-ranking African player—cementing his status as a global football icon.
He also became a cultural symbol in Nigeria, with murals, songs, and political figures praising his achievements.
Related: Darwin Núñez Then and Now
Now: The 2024–25 Season – Redemption, Leadership, and Legacy (2025)
1. Overcoming Injury and Controversy
The 2023–24 season was a turbulent one for Victor Osimhen:
- Suffered a facial fracture in August 2023 after a collision
- Wore a protective mask for months, affecting his confidence
- Faced criticism for disciplinary issues and a failed transfer saga in January 2024, when he requested a move to Arsenal, sparking fan backlash in Naples
He finished the season with only 15 goals, and Napoli missed out on the title.
But in 2024–25, Osimhen returned with a point to prove.
2. A Dominant 2024–25 Campaign
Under new manager Francesco Calzona, Osimhen embraced a leadership role at Napoli. Determined to win back the fans and reclaim his throne, he delivered one of the most dominant seasons of his career:
- 31 goals in 36 Serie A games – winning the Capocannoniere for the second time
- 7 assists – showcasing improved link-up play
- Scored crucial goals in derbies, Champions League knockout stages, and title-deciding matches
- Regained his status as Serie A’s most feared striker
His physical transformation was evident:
- Improved conditioning
- Greater tactical awareness
- More disciplined off the ball
He also publicly apologized to Napoli fans, saying:
“I love this city. I love this jersey. I let my heart speak too loud. Now I play with my soul.”
The fans forgave him. The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona once again roared his name.
3. Champions League Breakthrough
In the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League, Victor Osimhen led Napoli on a deep run:
- Scored 8 goals, including a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals
- Reached the semifinals for the first time in club history
- Became the first African player to score 20+ UCL goals in the 2020s
Though Napoli fell to Real Madrid in the semis, Osimhen’s performances were hailed as legendary.
4. Ballon d’Or Contender Once Again
By mid-2025, Osimhen is firmly in the top 5 of Ballon d’Or rankings, with many pundits calling it his best season yet. His combination of goals, leadership, and redemption has captured the imagination of fans and voters alike.
Related: Alejandro Garnacho Then and Now
International Career: Nigeria’s Flagbearer
1. AFCON 2023 Hero
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Victor Osimhen played through injury to lead Nigeria to the final—their first since 2013. Though they lost to Ivory Coast, Osimhen scored 4 goals and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
In 2025, he remains Nigeria’s captain and talisman, with over 40 international goals—on track to surpass Jay-Jay Okocha and Rashidi Yekini as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer.
2. 2026 World Cup Qualification Campaign
As Nigeria pushes for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup (hosted by USA, Canada, Mexico), Osimhen is the undisputed leader. His performances in qualifiers have been dominant, including a hat-trick against Zambia in March 2025.
He has vowed:
“I will not retire until Nigeria wins the World Cup.”
Personal Life and Off-Field Impact
Osimhen is known for his passion, intensity, and loyalty. He is married to Oluchi Okeke, a Nigerian fashion designer, and they have two children. He frequently visits Lagos, funding schools, football academies, and healthcare initiatives.
He’s also a global ambassador for:
- Adidas (signature “Predator” boots with Nigerian flag design)
- Pepsi Africa
- UNICEF Nigeria – advocating for youth education and sports
His humility and connection to his roots have made him a national hero.
Related: Alphonso Davies Then and Now
Cultural Impact and Legacy (2025)
By 2025, Victor Osimhen is more than a footballer:
- Symbol of African excellence
- Role model for young athletes across the continent
- Embodiment of resilience and redemption
He has redefined what it means to be a modern striker—combining brute strength with technical finesse, leadership with vulnerability.
He’s also part of a new wave of African stars—alongside Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Ademola Lookman—who are dominating Europe’s top leagues and changing the narrative around African talent.
Conclusion: Victor Osimhen – Then and Now (2025)
- Then: A boy from Lagos, scoring goals in dusty fields, dreaming of Europe.
- Now: A Serie A legend, Ballon d’Or contender, Napoli icon, and Africa’s most dangerous striker.
Victor Osimhen’s journey is one of explosive talent, painful setbacks, and triumphant comebacks. In 2025, he stands not just as a goalscorer—but as a leader, a symbol, and a force of nature.
As he sets his sights on the 2026 World Cup and a potential move to a European giant (rumors link him with Manchester United and PSG), one thing is clear:
Victor Osimhen isn’t just playing for trophies.
He’s playing for legacy.
🔥 “I carry Nigeria on my back. And I will never put it down.” – Victor Osimhen
Related: Achraf Hakimi Then and Now