Victor Osimhen was moved to tears ahead of Galatasaray’s Champions League round of 16 match against Liverpool after seeing a tifo dedicated to him and his late mother.
The banner, unveiled by Galatasaray supporters at Rams Park before kick-off, displayed a portrait of Osimhen alongside his mother with the message: "We are family and family is everything." The 27-year-old Nigerian striker was visibly emotional as he prepared to line up with teammates Mario Lemina and Gabriel Sara. Lucas Torreira comforted him before he greeted the opposition.
Osimhen had previously spoken about losing his mother at a young age. He shared that his older brother informed him that their mother had passed away unexpectedly. He described the experience as a deeply difficult time for his family. Football became his outlet and a way to lift his family from poverty while his father worked tirelessly to provide for them.
Growing up in Olusosun, Lagos, Osimhen lived with six siblings in a one-room apartment next to a rubbish dump. Financial hardship forced him to search landfills for football boots. He recalled nights without electricity where all seven siblings sat in darkness, prompting him to question God about his difficult childhood. To survive, Osimhen sold water at traffic lights and performed dangerous jobs, including descending wells. He also participated in a Nigerian quiz show, winning the equivalent of £5, the most money he had held at that time.
Despite the struggles, Osimhen gave everything he earned to support his siblings with food and rent. On some nights, he even slept in a church because their home’s roof was falling in. The heartfelt gesture from Galatasaray fans clearly touched Osimhen, reflecting his challenging journey and enduring family devotion.
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