“My Story Is Proof You Can Make It” – Victor Osimhen

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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about his remarkable journey from hardship to global stardom in a deeply personal essay titled A Prayer From the Gutter, published by The Players' Tribune.

 In the 2026 feature, the Napoli forward takes readers back to Olusosun in Lagos, where he grew up surrounded by poverty, loss and uncertainty long before football fame found him.

Osimhen recounts his childhood near the Olusosun Landfill, widely known as one of Africa’s largest dumpsites. 

He describes scavenging for scraps and searching desperately for mismatched football boots just to have something to play with. 

For him, the relentless spirit that defines his playing style today was forged in those difficult moments. His essay does not romanticise poverty. Instead, it lays bare the hunger, fear and determination that shaped his outlook on life.

One of the most emotional moments in the piece is his memory of a night when his family’s electricity was cut off. Sitting outside by a gutter, he questioned what kind of life awaited a child in such circumstances. 

That painful reflection later inspired the essay’s title. He also writes about the fear he felt when he first had the chance to leave home in pursuit of football. 

Overcome with anxiety, he nearly gave up on the opportunity until his father quietly urged him to go. With only a backpack and a “lucky green” kit, he stepped into the unknown.

Osimhen shares how his dream almost ended during the Under-17 national team trials. With hundreds of hopefuls competing, he had just 15 minutes to prove himself. 

He scored twice but did not initially hear his name called. Just as he was leaving in disappointment, a call back from the coach, prompted by the team doctor holding up two fingers to signal his two goals, revived his dream. That moment, he says, changed everything.

The striker also reflects on a turning point in his professional career when he joined Napoli and met coach Luciano Spalletti. 

At a time when personal grief and transfer controversies had left him emotionally drained, Spalletti’s belief in him restored his confidence. Osimhen credits the coach and the city of Naples for helping him rediscover joy in football.

Today, beyond trophies and accolades, Osimhen says his greatest victory is being able to provide for his loved ones and inspire children who hustle daily on the streets of Lagos. 

His message is simple but powerful: beginnings do not define destiny. From the gutter to global recognition, he hopes his story stands as proof that with faith, resilience and opportunity, dreams can rise from the most unlikely places.

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