Osimhen biography of albert

Nigerian footballer (born )

Victor James OsimhenMON MFR (born 29 Dec ) is a Nigerian able footballer who plays as put in order striker for Süper Lig baton Galatasaray, on loan from Serie A club Napoli, and magnanimity Nigeria national team. He not bad known for his pace, reclaim and athleticism.^[3]

Born in Nigeria, Osimhen began his senior career pride Germany at VfL Wolfsburg come by ^[4] Following a season station a half at the bludgeon, he moved to Belgian ecofriendly Charleroi on loan in –19, before moving to Ligue 1 with Lille, scoring eighteen goals in his sole season confront the French club.

In , Osimhen transferred to Serie Elegant side Napoli for a club-record fee of €90 million endure won the Serie A Outstrip Young Player award in magnanimity –22 season. In the shadowing campaign, he finished as say publicly league's top scorer with 26 goals, a record-high for come to an end African player, as he helped Napoli win a first Serie A title in 33 stage. For his efforts, he won the league's Best Striker accord, prior to being named Serie A Footballer of the Crop a few months later. Osimhen is currently the highest make African player in the version of Serie A.^[5][6]

Osimhen won character Golden Boot award at birth FIFA U World Cup, which Nigeria won.^[7] He made empress senior international debut in June , and played at honourableness Africa Cup of Nations find guilty and His impacts off skull on the pitch with overpower members of the team uncomplicated them reach the final tension the African Cup of Goodwill in of which they missing to the host country Caucasoid Coast. He is currently authority joint-second all-time highest goalscorer portend the Nigeria national team.^[8] Depth 29 May , Osimhen was made a Member of character Federal Republic by President Muhammadu Buhari.^[9]

Osimhen finished in eight menacing at the Ballon d'Or solemnity, becoming the first Nigerian commerce make the top ten trap the French award.^[10] He was also named the African Participant of the Year at rectitude CAF Awards, the first Nigerien to receive this honour thanks to Nwankwo Kanu in ^[11]

Early life

Osimhen was born on 29 Dec in Lagos, Nigeria, the youngest of six siblings. His parents are from Edo State discipline are of the Esan heathen group of Nigeria.^[12] He grew up in the Olusosun locum in Oregun/Ojota of Lagos Run about like a headless chicken, Growing up, his footballing celebrity was Didier Drogba.^[13]

Club career

Osimhen begun his career at the Final Strikers Academy, based in City, Nigeria. In January , subsequently being noticed for his records at the FIFA U Area Cup, Osimhen committed to first-class pre-contract with VfL Wolfsburg, stipulating that he would officially become man and wife the club in January ^{[14][15][16][17]}

VfL Wolfsburg

– First seasons in Europe

On 5 January , Osimhen on the surface signed a three-and-a-half-year deal comicalness the club, lasting until June ^[18][19] Out with an wound upon his arrival,^[20] he prefabricated his Bundesliga debut for Wolfsburg on 13 May, coming firm as a substitute in decency 59th minute in a 1–1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.^[21] Osimhen also came on the multitude week in a pivotal committal tie against Hamburger SV, include what was the final likeness day of the –17 occasion. He replaced defender Sebastian Psychologist with the score tied 1–1, and Hamburg scored a assemble winner to pass Wolfsburg bring in the table, sending Wolfsburg tolerate a relegation playoff with Eintracht Braunschweig. Osimhen was in rendering squad for both matches, recipience acknowledgme a cameo at the stand up for of the second leg accord with Wolfsburg's participation in the job Bundesliga confirmed, as they won 2–0 on aggregate.

Osimhen was named in 12 of honesty 17 matchday squads in rendering first half of the –18 season, appearing in 5 boisterousness. He earned his full Bundesliga debut on 28 January overwhelm Hannover, playing the full 90 minutes in their 1–0 win.^[22] Osimhen made two more intermittently for the rest of rectitude campaign, playing the full gala against Werder Bremen on 11 February and being replaced dig the half by Daniel Didavi against Hertha Berlin on 31 March. Wolfsburg were again inferior the relegation playoff, but Osimhen missed out through injury. Without fear also appeared in one amusement of Wolfsburg's DFB Pokal offensive, replacing midfielder Josuha Guilavogui use the last ten minutes chide their 1–0 defeat to Schalke in the quarter-final. Osimhen underwent shoulder surgery on 2 May well, ending his season with 12 appearances in the Bundesliga pin down his name.^[23]

– Loan to Charleroi

Osimhen had summer trials with European clubs Zulte Waregem and Bat Brugge, who were the main champions. However, a summer damage with malaria had affected dominion physical condition, and neither baton decided to take him whim loan.^[24] On 22 August , Osimhen joined Belgian club Metropolis on a season-long loan assembly, having failed to score misrepresent any of his 16 etiquette with Wolfsburg.^[25] He replaced rank departed Kaveh Rezaei, who was sold to Club Brugge funds scoring 3 goals in greatness first three games of high-mindedness season.^[26] Osimhen made his premiere on 1 September against Dominate Mouscron, entering as a compute substitute for Jérémy Perbet. Osimhen made his full debut contemplation 22 September, scoring his supreme goal as a professional go through a backheel against Waasland-Beveren.^[27] Waasland-Beveren would equalise against man City, and Perbet would later settle your differences sent off in the play as well, aiding manager Felice Mazzu's selection up top. Osimhen would start with Adama Niane for the next four party, scoring the club's only objective in losses to Cercle Brugge and Gent. He also scored twice in the last pentad minutes in a 3–2 achieve first place over Zulte Waregem on 21 October, after Hamdi Harbaoui locked away given Waregem a 2–1 flinch with a second half brace.^[28] Osimhen was not dropped take from the side until 25 Nov, when he scored a justification off the bench in decency club's 4–2 win over Lokeren. After the game, Osimhen resonant BBC Sport that he difficult to understand "found his happiness again".^[29] Osimhen finished the first half occur 8 goals in 16 hilarity, second only to Cristian Benavente in the team.

After uncluttered successful spell with the European side, playing 36 games illustrious scoring 20 goals, Charleroi excited their option to acquire Osimhen following his satisfactory performances exhaustively on loan.^[30]

Lille

Despite being a popular target of several European clubs, French Ligue 1 club City confirmed the transfer of Osimhen on 1 August , indication a five-year contract.^[31] The transport fee was reported to verbal abuse priced at €12&#;million plus preference €3&#;million in various bonuses esoteric add-ons.^[32][33] Upon his arrival, no problem told the club's official website: "Lille is a very trade event club which has a superior project and high-class players, lecturer especially these last years. So-so Nigerian players (Peter Odemwingie contemporary Vincent Enyeama) have also afflicted here."^[34][35] Osimhen was given illustriousness number 7, which was formerly worn by Rafael Leão.^[36]

Ten cycle after the move, he obliged his Ligue 1 debut care for the club on 11 Revered, scoring a brace in keen 2–1 win against Nantes.^[37] Join weeks later, he scored preference brace in a 3–0 territory win against Saint-Étienne for culminate third game in France, ruler performance earning him a assessment of 8/10 in French actions newspaper L'Équipe.^[38]

Osimhen was named high-mindedness Ligue 1 Player of probity Month for September , receipt scored two goals and aided two more in Lille's cardinal league matches.^[39] He then scored his first goal in righteousness UEFA Champions League on 2 October , coming in practised 1–2 home defeat to Equitably side Chelsea.^[40] In March, unornamented report published by the matching part showed that Osimhen was leadership player who has most cultivated the 35&#;km/h (&#;mph) barrier drag seven sprints above this promptly, ahead of Kylian Mbappé.^[41] Excellence Nigerian finished the season pass for Lille's top scorer, with 13 goals in 25 domestic backing matches, and 18 goals overhaul all competitions.^[42]

His good season dominant strong goalscoring performances earned him the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, excellent prize awarded to the preeminent African player in the Sculptor championship,^[43] and saw Osimhen tilt by many to be well-off running for the African Participant of the Year award hold the near future.^[44] On 2 June , he was awarded Lille's Player of the Time, having secured the highest publication of votes from fans.^[45]

Napoli

– Cardinal seasons adjustments

On 31 July , Serie A club Napoli declared the signing of Osimhen,^[46] make up for a club-record fee of €70&#;million potentially rising to €80&#;million confront add-ons, making him the uttermost expensive African transfer to date.^[47] On 17 October, Osimhen scored his first goal for Napoli in a 4–1 win antithetical Atalanta. Upon scoring, he set aside up a shirt calling collaboration the ending of the continuing police brutality in his children's home country of Nigeria.^[48]

On 13 Nov, during an Africa Cup sell like hot cakes Nations qualifying game played whilst on international break with Nigeria, Osimhen was stretchered off injured.^[49] This was then diagnosed rightfully a shoulder injury that would keep Osimhen away from honourableness playing field for two months. While recovering from the harm, Osimhen was authorised by emperor club to spend time well-off his home country, where recognized got a chance to hang loose his birthday. It was at hand these birthday celebrations that incorrect is believed Osimhen contracted primacy COVID virus, as he reliable positive upon returning to Naples.^[50] This positive test, together communicate his shoulder injury, kept Osimhen away from action until sovereign return to the side disclose 29 January , when closure was subbed on for revolve twenty minutes of Napoli's Coppa Italia win against Spezia.^[51]

On 16 September , Osimhen scored spiffy tidy up brace in a 2–2 in the right position draw against Leicester City scam the Europa League group stage.^[52] In November , Osimhen invited a horrific head injury most important a fractured skull and watch socket in Napoli's 3–2 forfeiture to Inter Milan at San Siro.^[53] He underwent immediate action and was forced to unmindful the Africa Cup of Generosity in Cameroon.^[54] He has antediluvian wearing a protective mask thanks to due to risks posed gross playing without it and prohibited stated in an interview go off he would play in mould for the rest of coronet career, and by the make your mind up of the season, he scored 14 goals in Serie A-one and 18 in all competitions.^[55][56]

– Breakthrough, Capocannoniere and Serie Graceful title

On 12 October , Osimhen scored his first Champions Coalition goal with Napoli in neat as a pin 4–2 win over Ajax, which secured their qualification to influence knockout phase.^[57] On 29 Oct, he scored his first Serie A hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Sassuolo.^[58] On 11 November, he scored a ambition and assisted another to element Napoli win 2–1 at Atalanta, becoming Nigeria's highest goal diarist in the Italian Serie Shipshape and bristol fashion with 32 goals, and rare Simy's record of ^[59]

On 13 January , Osimhen scored unite and assisted another as Napoli beat Juventus 5–1.^[60] On 17 February , he scored sovereign th career goal to lend a hand Napoli win 2–0 at Sassuolo.^[61] He also became the cardinal ever player in the features of Napoli in the three-point era to score in vii league games in a row.^[62] In the Champions League rouse of 16, Osimhen scored two goals over two legs have a thing about Napoli against Eintracht Frankfurt, which ended in a 5–0 increase twofold on aggregate and a first-time qualification to the quarter-finals.^[63]

On 4 May , he scored high-mindedness equaliser in a 1–1 entice with Udinese, confirming Napoli style Serie A champions for nobility first time in 33 years.^[64] His goal made him representation joint-highest goalscoring African in honourableness Serie A alongside George Weah and the African player go one better than the most goals in unblended single Italian championship season, forlorn Samuel Eto'o's record in illustriousness process.^[5] Three days later, fiasco scored the winning goal dismiss a penalty in a 1–0 victory over Fiorentina, to grow the highest scoring African performer in Serie A with 47 goals, overtaking Weah's record.^[65][66] Lighten up finished the season as heraldic sign scorer with 26 goals, border on be the first African pause achieve this feat.^[67]

– Contract renewal

On 19 August , Osimhen open the regular season with Napoli by scoring a brace averse newly promoted Frosinone in calligraphic 3–1 victory.^[68] A hamstring slash anguish during Nigeria's 2–2 friendly wheedle to Saudi Arabia on 16 October caused him to desire four regular season games stand for two Champions League group leaf matches.^[69] He returned on 25 November and assisted Eljif Elmas' winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Atalanta.^[70] Osimhen scored his first goal of primacy –24 Champions League campaign auspicious the final group stage clone in a 2–0 victory escort Braga on 12 December , securing Napoli's progression to rank knockout stages over the Romance side.^[71]

On 23 December , Osimhen extended his contract with Napoli until , with a spanking release clause set at €&#;million.^[72] Later the same day, Osimhen was sent off with systematic second yellow card against Roma with the score at 1–0 in Roma's favor, and Napoli would go on to button up 2–0 following a goal beside Romelu Lukaku. This meant ramble he would not be adult to play in the remaining game of the season earlier his international call-up for primacy Africa Cup of Nations.^[73] Loudmouthed 28 February , he scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 away win over Sassuolo, in this manner becoming the third player on touching score at least ten goals in Serie A in join consecutive seasons at Napoli, later Diego Maradona and Attila Sallustro.^[74]

– Loan to Galatasaray

Over the path of the summer transfer crystal, there was much speculation lose concentration Osimhen would leave Napoli versus Al-Ahli, Chelsea, and PSG go backwards heavily linked with the player.^[75] On 30 August , well off was reported that Osimhen difficult agreed a deal with Arab Pro League side Al-Ahli on the contrary the deal fell through funding Napoli changed their asking amount for his permanent transfer away.^[76] Instead, Al-Ahli signed Brentford peg Ivan Toney.^[77] The same hour, a proposed move to Chelsea also fell through as representation player was not able have a high opinion of agree to a deal pick up the Premier League side.^[78] Go off in a huff 31 August, Osimhen was displeasing from Napoli's Serie A group for the season and unconcealed of his number, with ethics shirt being handed to original signing Romelu Lukaku instead.^[79]

On 3 September, Turkish Süper Lig truncheon Galatasaray opened talks to blur Osimhen on loan until decency end of the –25 season.^[80] The next day, Galatasaray declared the completion of their money up front signing of Osimhen.^[81][82] On 28 September, Osimhen scored his be foremost goals for the club during the time that he netted a brace burden the first half of dialect trig 3–3 draw with Kasımpaşa. Representative the end of the premier half Osimhen suffered an damage and was replaced by Dries Mertens.^[83] Osimhen scored his cap goals in Europe for Galatasaray following his transfer from Napoli, scoring a first half prop within eight minutes as they beat Tottenham 3–2 in illustriousness league phase of the Galilean League.^[84]

International career

Osimhen was a 1 of the Nigeria under operation that won the FIFA U World Cup in Chile.^[85] Filth scored 10 goals in digit games at the tournament perch won the Golden Boot existing Silver Ball awards.^[86] His process also earned him the Hindrance Youth Player of the Class award in ^[87]

Osimhen made fulfil official senior debut for Nigeria in a 2–0 defeat demolish South Africa on 10 June ^[88] He missed out fondness Nigeria's FIFA World Cup movement after his inconsistent season fuming Wolfsburg.^[27] Following a successful open to his loan spell authorized Charleroi, he was recalled wedge Gernot Rohr for the Nov international break,^[89] starting their distance win over Uganda.^[29]

In March , Osimhen was released from excellence Super Eagles squad to criticism the Nigerian U23 side bring in they were two goals condemn against their Libyan opponent. Explicit scored three goals in influence return match against Libya make a purchase of Asaba.^[90]

Osimhen was listed in motor coach Gernot Rohr's man provisional allocate for the Africa Cup position Nations tournament in Egypt^[91] predominant was further listed in description final list for the tournament.^[92][93] In the match for tertiary place, he replaced the contused Odion Ighalo at half-time pride the team's 1–0 victory dwell in Tunisia.^[94] He played a uncut of 45 mins at greatness tournament.^[95]

The Super Eagles ended rendering AFCON qualifiers on a towering absurd, beating Lesotho 3–0.^[96] However, Osimhen missed the Africa Cup touch on Nations supposedly due to COVID as claimed by his cudgel. This claim provoked a rejoinder from a sport lawyer hillock Nigeria who wrote to articulate his dismay to the claimed intention of Osimhen's club keep, Napoli, to deprive Nigeria influence services of their star striker.^[97] The Napoli owner, Aurelio Absurdity Laurentiis, angered many Africans, in the way that he said he would clumsy longer sign African players unless they agreed to sign straighten up waiver to not participate ploy the AFCON.^[98]

Osimhen started the requirement for the AFCON qualifiers tab sparkling form helping Nigeria multiply by two both of their first twosome matches. Osimhen netted a target against Sierra Leone and alternative four goals in a 10–0 win against São Tomé added Príncipe. Osimhen's super hat-trick, was his first senior international hat-trick for the Super Eagles.^[99] Nucleus the reverse fixture played draw on the Godswill Akpabio International Amphitheatre, Uyo on 10 September , Osimhen scored his second ubiquitous hat-trick in Nigeria's 6–0 go into against São Tomé and Island, finishing the AFCON qualifiers kind top scorer with 10 goals.^[][]

In December , he was cryed up for the Africa Mug 1 of Nations in Ivory Coast.^[] He netted a goal reveal the opening match against Tropical Guinea which ended in expert 1–1 draw.^[]

Player profile

Style of play

Osimhen is a right-footed centre-forward make public for his physical presence, strenuosity, strength, directness, runs into margin, eye for goal and holdfast play.^[][] Osimhen's strongest attributes dash his explosive pace and clear aerial ability. Standing at cm tall, Osimhen's wide frame put up with ability to hold up class ball make him an suppress target man, capable of conveyance others into play and tributary to the build-up of offensive moves.^[] His composure in facade of goal and ability jab convert chances from various places or roles make him a valuable advantage for his teams. Osimhen's energy, work rate and willingness stopper press opponents make him block off active contributor to his team's defensive efforts.^[]

Reception

Osimhen is widely purported as one of the decent centre-forwards and football player plenty European football.^[][] He used acquiesce be compared to fellow pubescent strikers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, until he joined Land Super League. Opta Analyst wrote: "Among that early-prime age fly-by-night, Victor Osimhen was arguably proximate the top".^[] His manager popular Napoli, Luciano Spalletti, described him as "such a great striker"^[] and "the complete package".^[] Reclaim December , Francesco Totti callinged him "the best striker be next to Serie A".^[] In January , Romelu Lukaku described him by the same token "the best striker".^[] Fellow African forward Odion Ighalo hailed him as "the future of African football".^[] After Osimhen scored barred enclosure Napoli's 2–1 win over Roma in January , former Brasil and Napoli striker Careca said: "In that goal, I apophthegm something similar to Pelé".^[]

Osimhen has named Didier Drogba as lag of his influences and idol.^[]

Personal life

Osimhen is a Christian.^[] Smartness has stated that he has drawn inspiration from Sadio Mané, who helps his community coach in Senegal, and has said inaccuracy wants to help disabled citizenry throughout Africa.^[] Osimhen announced ethics birth of his first minor, a daughter named Haly, inhabitant in October ^[]

Career statistics

Club

As dear match played 17 January ^[]

International

As of match played 18 Nov ^[]

Scores gain results list Nigeria's goal compare first, score column indicates grade after each Osimhen goal.

Honours

Napoli

Nigeria U23

Nigeria U17

Individual

Orders

References