Victor Osimhen’s recent feature on The Players’ Tribune, titled “A Prayer From the Gutter,” has resonated deeply across the football world. It’s an unfiltered look at the man behind the mask, detailing a journey of extreme highs and heartbreaking lows.
From the Gutters of Lagos to European Stardom
Osimhen vividly describes his childhood in Olusosun, Nigeria—a neighborhood sitting next to Africa’s largest landfill.
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Survival Mode: He recounts cleaning gutters for 30 naira and selling water in Lagos traffic just to help his family eat.
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Barefoot Dreams: For years, football was a luxury he could only afford when he wasn’t working. He reveals that his first “break” felt like a miracle from God after a period of near-total hopelessness.
The Dark Side of the Business
One of the most emotional segments of the piece focuses on his exit from Lille. Osimhen reveals he nearly quit football entirely due to the “disgusting” way the sport operates as a business.
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The Personal Toll: During high-stakes transfer negotiations, the club reportedly prevented him from visiting his dying father.
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Finding Peace: He describes his arrival at Napoli as a spiritual homecoming: “When I left Lille, I was lost. When I came to Napoli, I was found.”
Spalletti: The Father Figure in the Dugout
Osimhen credits Luciano Spalletti for saving his career and mental health.
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Emotional Honesty: In their first meeting, Osimhen told him, “I am not well. I am very angry and sad.” Instead of a lecture, he found a father figure.
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Sacrifice for the Scudetto: He reveals that Spalletti was so obsessed with winning the title for Napoli that he slept in his office at the training ground for months.
Why Galatasaray? “I Follow My Heart”
Addressing his move to Istanbul, Osimhen admits many people—including former agents—told him he was “crazy” to choose Turkey.
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The Passion Factor: For Osimhen, passion is more important than league prestige. He ranks Galatasaray as one of the top three clubs in the world for fan intensity.
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Current Form (2025/2026): His choice is paying off. Osimhen is currently in elite form, having recently scored twice in a 5–2 thrashing of Juventus in the Champions League (February 17, 2026). He also became the fastest player in Galatasaray history to reach 50 goals, achieving the feat in just 59 appearances this January.