Nigerian football star and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has shared a revealing personal story about friendship, gratitude, and the pressures of newfound wealth, issuing a pointed message against what he describes as a growing "sense of entitlement."
In a candid reflection, the reigning African Footballer of the Year recounted an incident with a childhood friend that left him deeply disappointed and highlighted the complex dynamics that often accompany success.
The €5,000 Gift and the €50,000 Expectation
Osimhen explained that he had been financially supporting a friend from his youth. When the friend approached him with a business proposal, Osimhen sent €5,000 (approximately ₦6.5 million) to help him start.
The gesture, however, was met not with gratitude but with dissatisfaction. The friend, referencing online reports about Osimhen’s salary, expressed that he had expected a contribution closer to €50,000, arguing that he had read the striker earned "1 million euros every week."
“I was so mad that I wanted to reverse the transaction but I couldn’t,” Osimhen admitted. He emphasized the value of the sum, noting, “That money €5k can only buy a pair of shoes in Europe but in Nigeria, it’s a lot of money.”
A Message Rooted in Personal Hustle
The striker used the experience to draw a sharp contrast between perception and the reality of his journey. He reminded the public of his humble beginnings, having sold bottled water on the streets of Lagos to support himself and his family before his football career took off.
“Nobody sent me 1 dollar before I came to Europe, I hustle day and night,” he stated, underscoring that his success was the result of relentless hard work, not handed to him.
His core message was a plea for perspective and appreciation. “People should learn to appreciate whatever they get as gifts not have this sense of entitlement,” Osimhen concluded.
Broader Conversation on Wealth and Relationships
The revelation taps into a broader, often unspoken, tension faced by many successful Nigerians in the diaspora and at home. Rapid financial success can strain old relationships, with beneficiaries sometimes misjudging the ease of wealth or feeling entitled to a share based on past association.
Osimhen’s frank account has resonated widely online, sparking discussions about gratitude, the responsibility of the wealthy, and the unrealistic expectations fueled by public speculation about celebrity incomes.
While he did not reveal the current status of that friendship, his story serves as a cautionary tale about the personal costs of fame and a reminder of the value of every gift—no matter the size, especially when it comes from a place of genuine support.
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