Africa’s most expensive footballer, Victor Osimhen, has recalled how he hawked water in Lagos traffic as a teenager to support his family, IgbereTV reports.
Osimhen, who was signed from Lille of France to Napoli in the Serie A on a record transfer of $80m, told King Ekong media that the struggles he went through in life have shaped him to become who he is today.
“Most people are familiar with my kind of story because they have also gone through the worst in life.
“Where I grew up in Lagos nothing is promising there because whatever you want to get, you have to work so hard for it.
“I could remember that when I was growing up I was cleaning the gutter for my landlord at N20.
“And I did some cleaning jobs for my neighbours; I fetched water for them at N80 but I found pleasure in doing this because I believe that when I work so hard to get this money, it is so important for me as I was cautious in spending. I also helped my family with the money.
“While growing up, my brother was selling newspapers, my sister was selling oranges while I was in traffic hawking water to the extent that I had to chase cars to sell water and give them change as well. I feel like the struggles have really helped me in life.
“I am grateful for where I am today because what I have been through has really shaped me to the man I am today,” Osimhen said.
The former Golden Eaglets star described his sojourn in the European top league as a childhood dream.
“It all started like a boyhood dream from the slum in Lagos as I just wanted to be a professional player like Drogba, Odion Ighalo and a host of other top African players in Europe.
“Being the most expensive African player is one of the greatest achievements of my career and I am grateful to God to be able to achieve this,” he said.
