Victor Osimhen: "An honor to appear in the prize list of the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize"

Text by: Antoine Grognet Follow

Victor Osimhen is the winner of the 2020 Marc-Vivien Foé Prize. The LOSC striker gave his impressions to RFI, a few hours after his return from a stay in Nigeria. "That the trophy remains in Lille and comes back to me is really great," savored the successor of the Ivorian Nicolas Pépé in the list of the best African player in the French Championship.

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RFI: Victor Osimhen, you are the best African player in Ligue 1. What is your reaction ?

That makes me very happy. It is an honor to be among the winners of this Prize, when we see those who received it before me, like Nicolas Pépé last year. That the trophy stays in Lille and comes back to me is really great.

What was your recipe for shining so quickly in Ligue 1 ?

I'm a big fan of Ligue 1. Where I grew up, I watched the matches. I dreamed of coming to play here and when I got there, I told myself that I had to succeed in my first season and I am very happy to have been able to do so.

Another Nigerian won this trophy : Vincent Enyeama in 2014. A goalkeeper but still an inspiration for you ?

Of course, it's like a big brother to me. We talk to him and me every day. He gave me a lot of good advice, it helped me. I am very close to him. And winning this Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, as a Nigerian, is a great moment for my family and me.

He also played in Lille. The club best represented in the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize list and a club that has given you your chance this season !

Of course. Many Nigerians have played in Lille. There was Vincent, there was Peter Odemwingie and they gave a lot of happiness to this club. And it was important for me too to come and make a good impression. What I have done.

Life has not always been easy for you. Do these tests give you strength to succeed ?

Totally. Life was not easy, I had to fight and that's what brought me to where I am. Now, I want to continue and continue my momentum.

You were 4 years old when Marc-Vivien Foé died in the middle of a match with Cameroon. Is it a great pride to win a title that bears his name ?

It is a legend, not only in France, but in the world and especially in Africa. I have immense respect for him. I am very proud to have won a trophy that bears his name. This is something that I will always cherish.

What were your sources of inspiration ?

Didier Drogba was my model when I was a child and he still is. From time to time, I watch their matches and try to get something out of them that I can still use today.

Regarding the " Super Eagles ", how to succeed Odion Ighalo, top scorer of the last CAN ? What are your dreams in the Nigeria jersey ?

What I want is to be able to help the team win international trophies. Of course, I want to score even more selection goals. The goal is to continue to be the No. 1 scorer for Nigeria. We have very good players, like Simon Moses, Iheanacho and the others. I will continue to work to keep my place.

A word about your coaches, Gernot Rohr, Christophe Galtier ? How have they helped you progress, as a player but also as much as a person ?

Gernot Rohr has always believed in me. Even when I was in Wolfsburg and I didn't play much, he always supported me, phoning me and all that ... He saw my potential and always continued to encourage me. Christophe Galtier has been fantastic with me since my arrival in Lille. He behaved like a real friend. He has already counted a lot in my career and in my career in Lille.

A word about your competitors ? You are ahead of Islam Slimani, the Monaco striker.

He is an excellent striker. I think all the finalists for the Prix should be happy today because we all had a great season that allowed us to be on this list. I also dedicate this trophy to them. Simon Moses sent me a message right after the announcement of my award. He congratulated me. And to all the other players on this Foé Prize list, I would like to say to them: "  We have done a good job and we are continuing to put Africa first.  "

You are now the best African player in the French Championship. What is your dream ? Become the best African player in the world ?

Yes. This is the goal that I set for myself from a very young age. There is still a long way to go to be among the best Africans so I want to use this Prize to continue to work, to work hard and of course to maintain discipline in everything I want and I think I will get there.

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