REVEALED: Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen details how his infant daughter saved his career

Victor Osimhen and his daughter | Imago

REVEALED: Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen details how his infant daughter saved his career

Ayoola Kelechi 17:41 - 13.11.2023

Napoli star Victor Osimhen has detailed how his daughter’s birth caused an upturn in fortunes

Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen has spoken about the impact that having a daughter has had on his life on and off the pitch.

Osimhen explains the joys of fatherhood

The Napoli striker welcomed a bundle of joy, named Haley in October 2022, and credits his daughter’s birth with giving him the drive to become the top scorer in Serie A last year.

Speaking on the ObiOne podcast hosted by former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi, Osimhen was asked how having a child for the first time affected him, and he replied, “I think, extremely well. It’s my first time having a child. When I got the news, it was an overwhelming feeling for me. For me I thought it would take longer, but God just gave her to me.

The Napoli forward also noted that his daughter was born amidst some personal adversity, and instantly brought peace back into his home. He said about his daughter’s birth, “In the midst of this good news, I was having a very big challenge relating to some of my family members.

Victor Osimhen took to his official social media platforms to announce his daughter Hailey is now one year old. Instagram/Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen took to his official social media platforms to announce his daughter Hailey is now one year old. Instagram/Victor Osimhen

“So there was really a big problem at that time before my girl broke the news about her being pregnant. I was really ready and this gave me some sort of peace going through life’s problems with some parts of my family members.”

Victor Osimhen of Napoli poses with his girlfriend Stefanie Kim Ladewig, and daughter Hailey True following Napoli's 2022-23 Scudetto triumph

“For me, this child is a special child because, when she was coming, God gave her some sort of peace to bring to me, because it was kind of depressing, as at that time, before she [his girlfriend] broke the news to me that she was pregnant.”

Osimhen credits amazing form to daughter’s birth

Osimhen further revealed that his daughter’s arrival was the catalyst to his incredible form with Napoli in the 2022/23 season saying,

“When she told me, it was like a big ease in my body and my mind, and it was one of the reasons why I could focus on last season and do well.

Victor Osimhen is pictured holding his daughter Hailey True ahead of Napoli vs Sampdoria/photo via Getty Images

I was expecting a daughter, and I needed to set an amazing example as a father and as a person, and I needed to witness the birth of my daughter, the process.”

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Osimhen also noted that all his efforts going forward are to set a good example for his daughter, telling Mikel on the podcast, “This [the birth of his daughter] has really changed me a lot on and off the pitch, and when I grind now on the pitch, I grind for my daughter because I really want to set an example for her on and off the pitch to see the life her father has lived before and what he has become now.

Osimhen posing with the Serie A title from last season | Imago
Osimhen posing with the Serie A title from last season | Imago

“So for me to give my daughter life lessons, I need to become one.”

After the birth of his daughter, Osimhen went on to become the highest-scoring African player in a single Serie A season, scoring 26 goals in the league to help Napoli win the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years.

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