Victor Osimhen has shared a heartfelt story from the early days of his international career, revealing how a simple act of generosity from John Obi Mikel left a lasting impression on him.
The Galatasaray striker is currently in Lagos, taking a short break before returning to club duties in Turkey. Despite being one of the first names on the national team sheet in recent years, Osimhen was not included in Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Iran and Jordan.
Making the most of his time off, the 27-year-old joined a live online session with Nigerian influencer Carter efe where he reflected on his journey to the top and the figures who inspired him along the way.
“We were watching Super Eagles matches when we were in the trenches,” Osimhen said. “You hear Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha, John Obi Mikel. Even before I got to the Super Eagles, Odion Ighalo was doing well for the country, and I’ve met him a couple of times.”
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Osimhen went on to describe Ighalo as more than just a role model, highlighting the strong bond between them. He revealed that he once travelled to Belgium in 2020 to watch the former striker in action, a gesture that underlines the respect he has for his senior colleague.
“He is an amazing human being, a great football player, a legend, and for me has made an impact, not only on me,” Osimhen added.
However, it was his encounter with Mikel during his first call-up to the Super Eagles that stood out as one of the most memorable moments of his early career.
“I met Mikel Obi when they first invited me to the Super Eagles,” he recalled.
“We finished eating, and he told me to follow him to his room immediately, and he gave me money.”
The gesture, though simple, reflected the leadership and support within the national team setup, particularly for younger players finding their feet at the highest level.
Osimhen and Mikel briefly played together for Nigeria in matches against Zimbabwe and Senegal before the former Chelsea midfielder retired from international football in 2019.
Now one of Nigeria’s leading stars, Osimhen’s story highlights the importance of mentorship within the Super Eagles, and how small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on the next generation.
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