Victor Osimhen reveals plans to earn university degree after football career

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that he plans to return to school to earn a university degree after retiring from professional football, saying education remains a lifelong ambition despite his remarkable success on the pitch.

The Nigerian international made the disclosure in an interview that recently resurfaced online after it was first shared by Instablog. During the conversation, Osimhen reflected on his journey from a difficult childhood to becoming one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers, while emphasizing the importance of preparing for life after football.

The 2023 CAF African Footballer of the Year said that although football has transformed his life, he understands that a player’s career is temporary, making education an important investment for the future.

“As an adult, I don’t have everything I learned in school. There are some kinds of life lessons you encounter through life’s journey,” Osimhen said.

He explained that returning to school has remained one of his personal goals, noting that he wants to obtain a university degree after hanging up his boots.

“So for me, it will be an amazing thing to also try to get a degree, which I’m still considering because football is not something you will play for so long, probably 20 or 25 years, and then you’re done,” he added.

According to Osimhen, one of his biggest motivations is to inspire young people who were forced to suspend their education because of financial hardship, family circumstances or other challenges.

He said his decision would demonstrate that dropping out of school does not mean the end of one’s academic journey.

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“For me, it’s to set a standard and an example to the younger generation that even though you dropped out due to some kind of challenges, you can always go back to school because school is always there,” the striker said.

Osimhen’s comments have resonated with many Nigerians, especially considering his inspiring rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the world’s most sought-after forwards.

Born in Edo State, Osimhen first gained global recognition after emerging as the highest goalscorer at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where he scored 10 goals to help Nigeria lift the title.

His performances earned him a move to German club VfL Wolfsburg, but injuries and limited playing opportunities slowed his progress during his early years in Europe.

A successful loan spell at Belgian club Sporting Charleroi revived his career before he secured a permanent move to French side Lille, where his impressive performances attracted interest from several top European clubs.

In 2020, Osimhen completed a record transfer to Italian giants Napoli, where he cemented his place among Europe’s elite strikers.

During the 2022/23 Serie A season, he won the Serie A Golden Boot after finishing as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals and played a key role in helping Napoli win their first Italian league title in 33 years.

His outstanding performances also earned him the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the Year award in 2023, making him the first Nigerian to win the honour in more than two decades.

Osimhen has since continued his career with Galatasaray, where he remains one of the Turkish club’s key attacking players while maintaining his reputation as one of Africa’s finest footballers.

Away from football, the Super Eagles vice-captain has consistently advocated for education and youth empowerment.

In February 2026, he visited Beyond Limits Football Academy in Ikenne, Ogun State, where he donated ₦10 million to support the academy’s development.

During the visit, he urged young footballers to prioritise education alongside sports, stressing that talent alone cannot guarantee lifelong success.

He reminded aspiring athletes that football careers are relatively short and encouraged them to acquire academic qualifications and practical skills that would prepare them for life after retirement.

Education advocates and football stakeholders have praised Osimhen’s latest remarks, describing them as an important message to young Nigerians that success in sports should complement—not replace—education.

His comments also reinforce the growing campaign among professional athletes encouraging young people to balance their sporting ambitions with academic pursuits and long-term personal development.

Victor Osimhen reveals plans to earn university degree after football career

2026 World Cup: Argentina Beat Switzerland, Set Up England Semi-final

Argentina secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in a dramatic quarter-final encounter played in sweltering conditions in Kansas City.

The reigning world champions were pushed to the limit by a resilient Swiss side before eventually sealing victory in extra time to keep their hopes of retaining the World Cup title alive.

Argentina took the lead in the first half through midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who finished off a well-worked attacking move to put Lionel Scaloni’s men ahead.

Switzerland responded strongly after the break and found an equaliser through Dan Ndoye, setting up a tense finish as both teams searched for a decisive goal in normal time.

The complexion of the match changed when Swiss forward Breel Embolo was shown a red card, reducing Switzerland to 10 men and handing Argentina a numerical advantage heading into extra time.

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Argentina capitalised on the extra man in the closing stages. Julián Álvarez restored his side’s lead in the 112th minute with a stunning long-range strike that left the Swiss goalkeeper with no chance.

Lautaro Martínez then put the result beyond doubt with a late goal to complete a 3-1 victory and send Argentina into the last four of the tournament.

The hard-fought win means Argentina will face England in what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament. England booked their place in the semi-finals after edging Norway 2-1 in their quarter-final.

The other semi-final will see France take on Spain in another heavyweight European showdown.

Argentina, champions of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, are now just two matches away from successfully defending their title as they continue their quest for another global triumph.

The semi-final between Argentina and England is scheduled for July 15, while France and Spain will contest the first semi-final a day earlier. The winners of both matches will advance to the World Cup final on July 19.

2026 World Cup: Argentina Beat Switzerland, Set Up England Semi-final

Spain edge Belgium to book 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France

Spain secured a dramatic place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals after edging Belgium 2-1 in an enthralling quarter-final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. A late strike from substitute Mikel Merino sealed victory for the European champions, who will now face France in one of the tournament’s biggest fixtures.

The win keeps Spain’s dream of winning a second FIFA World Cup title alive and extends an impressive run that has seen them eliminate Portugal and Belgium in successive knockout matches. The eagerly anticipated semi-final against France, inspired by captain Kylian Mbappé, promises to be one of the standout matches of the competition.

Spain dominated possession from the opening whistle, with midfielders Rodri and Fabián Ruiz dictating the tempo, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal repeatedly stretched Belgium’s defence with his pace, movement and creativity. Ruiz, who started in place of Pedri, combined effectively with Rodri to give Spain complete control during the early stages.

Belgium entered the match with significant injury concerns. Captain Youri Tielemans suffered a hamstring injury during the pre-match warm-up and was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up, adding to the absence of influential midfielder Amadou Onana, who had already been ruled out with a serious knee injury. Despite the setbacks, Belgium remained dangerous through Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and striker Charles De Ketelaere.

Spain’s early pressure finally produced the breakthrough in the 30th minute. Right-back Pedro Porro combined brilliantly with Yamal before cutting the ball back to Dani Olmo. Although goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced an excellent save to deny Olmo, the rebound fell kindly to Fabián Ruiz, who calmly slotted home to give Spain a deserved lead.

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The goal sparked an extended period of Spanish dominance as Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled possession with confidence, moving the ball fluently across midfield and forcing Belgium to spend long periods defending deep inside their own half.

Belgium, however, showed remarkable resilience. Against the run of play in the 41st minute, Kevin De Bruyne released Timothy Castagne down the right flank. Castagne delivered a perfectly weighted cross that was met by Charles De Ketelaere, whose powerful header beat Unai Simón after he outmuscled defender Pau Cubarsí. The equaliser was particularly significant as it ended Spain’s run without conceding a goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Red Devils nearly completed a stunning turnaround moments before half-time when De Ketelaere launched a quick counterattack, but Dani Olmo recovered superbly to intercept a dangerous pass intended for the unmarked Jeremy Doku.

Spain resumed their dominance after the interval. Lamine Yamal became increasingly influential, creating several dangerous opportunities, including a teasing cross that almost found Mikel Oyarzabal, only for Courtois to rush off his line and make another crucial intervention.

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia introduced experienced striker Romelu Lukaku in search of a winning goal, while Spain continued to pile on the pressure. Belgium appealed for a penalty after a cross struck Rodri’s arm inside the penalty area, but the referee judged the contact to be accidental and allowed play to continue.

The contest took another dramatic twist in the 70th minute when Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury. His replacement, Senne Lammens, was immediately thrust into one of the biggest moments of his young international career.

Spain finally found the decisive breakthrough in the 88th minute. Defender Pau Cubarsí unleashed a low shot from distance that Lammens failed to gather cleanly. Mikel Merino, displaying his trademark instinct inside the penalty area, reacted quickest to the loose ball and rifled the rebound into the net to send the Spanish supporters into celebration.

Merino’s latest heroics continued his outstanding impact as a substitute during the knockout rounds. The Arsenal midfielder had already scored the dramatic extra-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, and his latest decisive contribution once again highlighted Spain’s remarkable squad depth.

Belgium refused to surrender and nearly forced extra time in stoppage time when Alexis Saelemaekers burst into the penalty area but was unable to find Lukaku in front of an open goal, allowing Spain to survive one final scare.

At the final whistle, Spain celebrated another memorable victory as players embraced on the pitch before quickly shifting their attention to Tuesday’s highly anticipated semi-final against France. Belgium’s players, meanwhile, were left heartbroken after another courageous performance ended in narrow defeat, with Courtois returning to console substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens following his costly late error.

With both Spain and France playing attractive, attacking football throughout the tournament, their semi-final showdown is widely expected to be one of the defining matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a coveted place in the final at stake.

Spain edge Belgium to book 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France