Osimhen Plans Return To School After Football Career
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that he intends to return to university and earn a degree after his football career, saying education remains an important personal goal despite his success in the sport.
Speaking in an interview with Instablog that resurfaced on Monday, the Galatasaray forward reflected on the value of both formal education and the life lessons he has gained outside the classroom.
Osimhen acknowledged that while experience has taught him a great deal, he still hopes to complete his academic journey.
"As an adult, not everything I learned in school. There are some kinds of life lessons you encounter through life's journey," he said.
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year explained that football is only a temporary career, making it important to prepare for life after retirement.
"It will be an amazing thing to also try to get a degree, which I'm still considering because football is not something you will play for so long, probably 20 or 25 years, and then you're done," he said.
The Nigerian striker also said he wants to inspire young people who were forced to abandon their education due to financial or personal challenges, stressing that it is never too late to return to school.
"I want to set an example to the younger generation that even though you dropped out due to some kind of challenges, you can always go back to school because the school is always there," he added.
Osimhen's remarks have drawn praise from many Nigerians, given his inspiring rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of Africa's biggest football stars.
The Edo State-born forward first gained global recognition after finishing as the top scorer at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, helping Nigeria win the tournament.
He later featured for Wolfsburg, Charleroi, Lille and Napoli, where he won the Serie A Golden Boot and spearheaded the club's first league title in 33 years before moving to Galatasaray.
Throughout his career, Osimhen has consistently encouraged young footballers to value education alongside their sporting ambitions.
Speaking in an interview with Instablog that resurfaced on Monday, the Galatasaray forward reflected on the value of both formal education and the life lessons he has gained outside the classroom.
Osimhen acknowledged that while experience has taught him a great deal, he still hopes to complete his academic journey.
"As an adult, not everything I learned in school. There are some kinds of life lessons you encounter through life's journey," he said.
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year explained that football is only a temporary career, making it important to prepare for life after retirement.
"It will be an amazing thing to also try to get a degree, which I'm still considering because football is not something you will play for so long, probably 20 or 25 years, and then you're done," he said.
The Nigerian striker also said he wants to inspire young people who were forced to abandon their education due to financial or personal challenges, stressing that it is never too late to return to school.
"I want to set an example to the younger generation that even though you dropped out due to some kind of challenges, you can always go back to school because the school is always there," he added.
Osimhen's remarks have drawn praise from many Nigerians, given his inspiring rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of Africa's biggest football stars.
The Edo State-born forward first gained global recognition after finishing as the top scorer at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, helping Nigeria win the tournament.
He later featured for Wolfsburg, Charleroi, Lille and Napoli, where he won the Serie A Golden Boot and spearheaded the club's first league title in 33 years before moving to Galatasaray.
Throughout his career, Osimhen has consistently encouraged young footballers to value education alongside their sporting ambitions.
