“Galatasaray striker Victor Osimgen spoke to UEFA about his Champions League ambitions, his boundless love for the Turkish club and his childhood in Lagos, which shaped his character.”, — write: football.ua
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimgen spoke to UEFA about his Champions League ambitions, his boundless love for the Turkish club and his childhood in Lagos, which shaped his character.
Viktor Osymgen, getty images 05 November 2025, 11:40
The Turkish champions have returned to the elite of European football after a one-year hiatus and are currently in excellent form with two consecutive home wins ahead of their trip to Ajax. Osymgen is at the center of this wave, having scored three times in the previous two rounds.
Victor Osimgen: the way from the streets of Lagos to the main stage of Europe His voice is calm. Words are the calm after the storm. When he talks about his childhood, it seems that he sees everything again in front of his eyes: dust, noise, the struggle for survival (and it’s not about football).
“I grew up in a very poor family. The youngest of seven. I lost my mother early. My father in 2020.”
After a short pause he adds:
“Before I became someone in this life, it was very difficult. I had to take care of myself, help my brothers and sisters, earn at least some money. We all tried to survive together after my mother passed away.”
Olusosun is a neighborhood in the heart of Lagos, close to Africa’s largest garbage dump. Those who do not give up live there. And it was there that he learned not to give up.
“This place made me. It may not have given me wealth, but it gave me experience. It gave me character. And every time I go back to Nigeria, I go there. To tell the kids: if I could do it, you can too.”
Istanbul. Summer. And the crowd that didn’t sleep When Osimgen landed in Turkey, it was around three in the morning. Darkness, noise, and hundreds of people waiting for him.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. They were watching the plane, they were standing outside, even though they could be at home with their families. Men, women, children, they’re all there because of one player. After that, you just can’t be indifferent. You’re playing for them. Every jolt, every punch, every drop of sweat is for that coat of arms.”
The striker admits that he is ready for a lot for the sake of this club.
“I’m absolutely in love with this club. And I’m ready to go through everything with it: the good, the bad and the difficult. But to be honest, I hope there will be more good.”
“We want Europe to talk about Galatasaray” When it comes to the Champions League, Viktor Osimgen speaks clearly and without any extra words. His goal is not just to participate, but to prove that Turkish football can be loud.
“I spoke to the president as soon as I arrived. We want to really make a statement in the Champions League. We want the whole world to know this year that Turkey has a team that has done something special in Europe.”
Galatasaray once again dominates the Super League – this is a familiar picture for fans. But Osimgen himself looks further.
“We have been strong in the championship for many years. And we will continue to be. But now the moment has come to prove our level in the biggest matches – the Champions League matches. This is the most beautiful thing that can be in football. When you go out on the field to this anthem, you want to leave a mark.”
People who shaped his path When Osymgen is asked about those who have influenced him the most, he mentions two names. One is from home. The other is from the world of football.
“For me, he is my brother in life. And in football – Didier Drogba.”
His brother worked on the streets of Lagos, selling sports newspapers, standing by the side of the road, between cars, with a stack of newspapers in his hands.
“He was the one who inspired me to work so hard. To see him trying to make money, no matter how hard it seems, that was an example for me.”
Another figure is Didier Drogba. A man whose matches Osimgen watched to understand what a true striker should be like.
“I watched him – how he plays, how he lives outside of football. I am grateful to him, because I attribute part of my success to him. I tried to adopt some of his traits, elements of the game that made him one of the best forwards of his time.”
Galatasaray’s next Champions League match is on Wednesday, November 5, against Ajax.
UEFA.com