Victor Osimhen: From Nigeria to the World With Magic Legs

Victor Osimhen (born December 29, 1998) is a Nigerian striker who plays for Galatasaray on loan from Napoli.

He also represents Nigeria’s national team.

He is known for his speed, strength, and athleticism and is considered one of the best strikers in the world.

Osimhen began his professional career at VfL Wolfsburg in 2017.

After spending a season and a half there, he went on loan to Charleroi.

Later, he joined Lille and scored 18 goals in one season.

Napoli bought him in 2020 for a record fee, and he quickly became one of their important players. He scored 76 goals in three seasons.

Osimhen was the top scorer in Serie A during the 2022-23 season with 26 goals.

This was the most ever scored by an African player in the league.

He helped Napoli win their first league title in 33 years.

Victor was also named the league’s Best Striker and later, Serie A Footballer of the Year.

Osimhen is also the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.

In 2015, he won the Golden Boot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Nigeria won the title.

He made his senior debut in 2017 and played in the 2019 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Victor helped Nigeria reach the 2023 final, but they lost to Ivory Coast.

Currently, he is the joint-second top scorer in Nigeria’s history.

On May 29, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari honoured him as a Member of the Federal Republic.

He made history in 2023 by finishing eighth in the Ballon d’Or. This made him the first Nigerian to reach the top ten.

Later that year, he won the CAF African Footballer of the Year, the first Nigerian since Kanu in 1999.

Victor Osimhen’s Performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The Super Eagles are competing in Africa’s qualifying tournament, where teams fight for a place in the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria played against Rwanda on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

They kept their 2026 World Cup hope alive with a crucial 2-0 win over Rwanda.

Victor Osimhen’s impressive comeback played a key role in the victory.

Playing his first game in the qualifiers after recovering from injury, he stole the show with two first-half goals.

He scored the first goal in the 10th minute, calmly finishing a perfect free-kick from Ademola Lookman.

Just before halftime, he scored another goal. He took the ball in midfield and cleverly lifted it over the Rwandan goalkeeper.

Rwanda pushed hard, especially with President Paul Kagame watching from the stands, but Nigeria defended well to secure the win.

It was a great start for new coach Eric Chelle. The Super Eagles moved up to fourth place in Group C with six points.

Next, they face Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 25, at the Goodwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Super Eagles fans are hoping for another strong performance.