Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has revealed how former Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez impacted his career, Soccernet.ng reports.
Then 17-years-old, Osimhen scored 10 goals in seven games to help the Flying Eagles lift the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, alongside Samuel Chukwueze.
His brilliant goal-scoring record, alongside the Golden Boot which he won, saw one-time Bundesliga Champions VfL Wolfsburg splash €3.5m to secure the striker’s services in January 2017.
Out with an injury upon his arrival, Osimhen played just 46 minutes in his first six months in Germany as Wolfsburg survived relegation by securing a win over Eintracht Braunschweig in the play-offs.
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Mario Gomez’s impact on Osimhen’s career
Given his lack of minutes, the striker sought loan opportunities elsewhere, but the entry of Mario Gomez saw him hold off the decision for another season.
“When I finished the U-17, I saw a list of a lot of elite clubs that wanted me, and I looked at the possibility of breaking into the team when I turn 18, and I knew that I could because I have the ability and I believe in myself,” the former Napoli striker said in an interview with Smallie.
“But then, I felt like Wolfsburg would be the perfect project for me. I picked Wolfsburg by myself, and I’m happy with the decision.
“When I went there, it wasn’t what I expected in the first six months. I had a meniscus injury, and I had to undergo shoulder surgery.
“I wanted to leave on loan at first, but then Mario Gomez came.
“When he entered the picture, a big legend, an experienced striker, one of the deadliest forwards in football. I went to the administrator of the club and mentioned I’d like to stay.
“I knew I still had time, so I wanted to learn, and then I looked at him in training. His touches, the types of goals he scored, the way he scanned to check for offsides, I thought it was crazy and unbelievable to train with him.
Osimhen played 12 games for Wolfsburg the following season, although most of those appearances came off the bench.
The following year, he felt it was time to move on, and then he signed for Belgian side, Charleroi SC, scoring 20 goals and providing four assists in 36 games across all competitions.
His records for that season saw LOSC Lille come knocking, and the French club paid €22.4m to secure Osimhen’s services. He made his mark in Europe, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists in 38 games.
The meteoric rise continued. In 2020, Napoli paid a record €78.9m to bring the Super Eagles striker to Naples. He’d eventually play a crucial role in helping the club win their first Scudetto in 33 years.