If you think say money dey fall from sky for footballers, make you read Osimhen story.
Victor Osimhen today dey earn over ₦33 billion per year. Na the highest salary for any Nigerian footballer for history.
But 8 years ago, for 2017, Osimhen dey earn just ₦390 million per year for Wolfsburg for Germany.
From ₦390 million to ₦33 billion. That na 84 times increase in 8 years.
How e happen? Make we break am down step by step.
1. WOLFSBURG (2017-2019) - ₦390 MILLION PER YEAR
Osimhen start him Europe career for Wolfsburg for Germany for 2017.
His salary that time na €4,231 per week. That na €220,000 per year. For Naira that time, na about ₦390 million per year.
E no be small money for a 18-year-old boy from Lagos wey dey sell sachet water before, but for football, e be small money. E be like apprentice salary.
Osimhen no play many games for Wolfsburg because of injury and sickness. Many people think say him career don finish. But he no give up.
Lesson: Everybody start small. No shame for small salary if you dey learn.
2. CHARLEROI (2019-2020) - ₦381 MILLION PER YEAR
After Wolfsburg, Osimhen go Belgium, for Charleroi, on loan.
His salary even drop small. According to Capology, he dey earn about €214,897 per year, wey be about ₦381 million.
But for Charleroi, Osimhen finally get chance to play. He score 20 goals in 36 games. The whole Europe start to notice am.
Lesson: Sometimes you go take small pay cut to get opportunity. Opportunity dey more valuable than salary.
3. LILLE (2019-2020) - ₦1.2 BILLION PER YEAR
Because of him performance for Charleroi, Lille for France buy am for €22.4 million.
For Lille, his salary jump to about €700,000 per year. That na about ₦1.2 billion per year.
For one season, Osimhen score 18 goals. He win Lille Player of the Season. Napoli see am, dem say "We want this boy."
Lesson: When you perform, your value go jump. No need to beg for increase, your work go speak.
4. NAPOLI (2020-2024) - ₦9 BILLION PER YEAR
In 2020, Napoli buy Osimhen for €70 million. That time na Africa's most expensive transfer.
For Napoli, Osimhen salary explode to €5.5 million per year, later increase to €10 million per year. That na over ₦9 billion per year. And later, he dey earn about ₦175 million per week.
For Napoli, Osimhen become superstar. He win Serie A for Napoli after 33 years. He win African Footballer of the Year. He become the face of Napoli.
But wahala start. Osimhen and Napoli get issue. Dem mock am for TikTok. Him agent fight club. Napoli no wan increase him salary again.
In 2024, Chelsea want am, but Chelsea say make Osimhen take pay cut. Osimhen say NO. He refuse pay cut.
Many people call am arrogant. But see the result today.
Lesson: Know your value. No let any club or company force you to take pay cut when you know wetin you bring to table.
5. GALATASARAY (2024 - NOW) - ₦33 BILLION PER YEAR
In September 2024, Osimhen go Galatasaray on loan. Galatasaray agree to pay €9-10 million of him salary.
He score 37 goals in 41 games. He win League and Turkish Cup. He become Galatasaray's highest scoring foreign player in one season.
Because of that, Galatasaray decide to buy am permanently in 2025 for €75 million. Na the most expensive transfer in Turkish football history.
And the salary? E scatter everywhere.
Now Osimhen dey earn €360,577 per week. That na €18,750,000 base per year. Add loyalty bonus €1 million and image rights €5 million, total na €21 million per year.
In Naira, that na over ₦33 billion per year. Per week, na ₦610 million plus ₦40 million for image rights.
From ₦390 million to ₦33 billion. In 8 years.
HOW GALATASARAY DEY PAY AM?
Many people dey ask, "Where Galatasaray see this money?"
Galatasaray no pay am from pocket alone. Dem use smart business:
They sell VIP boxes, they sell Osimhen shirts for GS Store, and they get 3 sponsors to cover part of salary.
Osimhen no be cost to Galatasaray. Na investment. Because him goals don bring Champions League money, shirt sales, and sponsors.
Lesson: If you be valuable, companies go find money to pay you. Your job na to become so valuable that dem no fit ignore you.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OSIMHEN MONEY STORY?
1. Start Small, No Shame: ₦390 million no be small, but for football e be small. Osimhen no complain, he work.
2. Take Opportunity Over Salary: He take pay cut for Charleroi to play. That decision change him life.
3. Know Your Value: He refuse Chelsea pay cut. Today, Galatasaray dey pay am more than Chelsea offer.
4. Performance Is Your CV: No agent fit negotiate like goals. 37 goals for Galatasaray na why dem pay €75 million.
5. Build Your Brand: Osimhen image rights na €5 million alone. People pay to use him face. That na brand power.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
If you be Osimhen, you go take pay cut to play for Chelsea for Premier League, or you go stay for Galatasaray where money full?
And how much you think say Osimhen go earn in next 5 years if he continue like this?
Tell me for comments. I go reply everyone. And if you be young hustler, share this article — e go motivate somebody.
You must be logged in to post a comment.