From Gutters to Glory: How Osimhen’s Days of Cleaning Gutters for ₦30 Shaped His Path to Global Football Fame [VIDEO]

 

Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian football sensation admired by millions for his agility and finishing prowess on the pitch, has opened up about the struggles that defined his early years. In a candid interview with media personality Daddy Freeze, Osimhen reflected on the humble beginnings that shaped him into the man he is today, offering raw insight into the grit and resilience behind his success story.

Few would imagine that the superstar who commands headlines and goalposts alike once earned a living by cleaning gutters choked with algae and fetching water for tenants in a modest Lagos compound. Yet, Osimhen’s own words brought to light the depths of his former reality. With emotion in his voice and sincerity in his tone, he recounted the days when survival meant laboring for just N30, a sum that many would now consider insignificant.

His story began in a compound commonly described in Nigerian parlance as “face-me-I-face-you,” a type of close-quartered apartment known for shared living spaces and communal challenges. There, Osimhen developed a work ethic rooted in necessity. He recalled fetching buckets of water for neighbors upstairs for as little as N80. That job, difficult as it was, didn’t compare to what he did next.

“I used to wash gutters for N30,” he said. “When the green things start coming out, the smell alone is something else. But I had to do it. That was how I survived.”

The “green things” he referred to are better known as Spirogyra, slimy algae that collect in stagnant water. Scraping them out of gutters with his bare hands, under the sweltering sun or in the pouring rain, Osimhen never once thought his story would change so dramatically. Back then, football glory seemed far away; the only goal was to have enough to eat and maybe some change left for the next day.

Osimhen’s rise is not just a personal victory. His experience resonates deeply with millions of young Nigerians who face daily hardship with little hope for escape. For many, his story offers more than just inspiration. It represents proof that where you start does not have to define where you end.

Social media platforms have been buzzing with reactions to his revelations. One user, my_helper_where_you_dey, wrote a heartfelt message saying, “God you remembered Osimhen and he became a great man, pls God help me too before this year runs out. Let me be great! Without money, sapa na big deal.”

Another user, sexysleem2, celebrated Osimhen’s journey with the words, “Every great person has a story to stardom! Thank Goodness you paved a way for yourself Osy Wonder.”

Many echoed similar sentiments, with one commentator, barpasiano, noting, “This one you can never ask him the source of his wealth because evidence choke.” It was a clever nod to the authenticity of Osimhen’s story, which is both traceable and inspiring.

Others emphasized the lesson in humility that his experience teaches. “Life! Reason you don’t look down on anyone because no one knows tomorrow,” wrote lady.blemiviv, offering a reflective take on the unpredictable turns life can take.

The encouragement didn’t stop there. aniberry22 advised, “Just be kind even to your service provider like gate man, gutter cleaner oh! He might just be greater than you. You won’t be broke oh! But he or she might be funding your account in the future.”

Osimhen’s story is far from rare, but what makes it exceptional is the honesty with which he shares it. Not all celebrities are willing to revisit the pain of the past, but he understands that by doing so, he might ignite hope in someone else walking a similar path.

Now a force to be reckoned with on the international football stage, Osimhen’s journey from washing filth-filled gutters to wearing some of Europe’s most prestigious jerseys is a masterclass in perseverance. His story does more than celebrate success; it underscores the dignity of hard work and the powerful transformation that can come from faith, consistency and unrelenting determination.

Victor Osimhen is more than a football star. He is a symbol of what is possible when the human spirit refuses to yield.

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