Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen says that no matter how successful his football career becomes, he is determined to return to the classroom and earn a university degree.

In a candid interview that recently resurfaced online, the Nigerian star reflected on the limits of a football career and the need to prepare for life after the final whistle. Though widely celebrated for his achievements in Europe, Osimhen insisted that education remains an unfinished personal goal.

He explained that much of what has shaped him came from real-life experiences rather than textbooks, but that this does not diminish the value of formal learning. According to him, footballers must recognise that their time at the top is short, no matter how talented they are.

Osimhen said he is seriously considering enrolling for a degree, stressing that a professional career can span only two decades at best before retirement becomes inevitable. For him, going back to school would not just be a private milestone but a public statement about priorities and planning.

The 2023 African Footballer of the Year added that one of his biggest motivations is to inspire young people who left school because of poverty or other setbacks. He wants them to see that dropping out does not have to be permanent and that education can be resumed when circumstances improve.

Osimhen’s message carries weight because of his own journey. Raised in modest circumstances, he fought his way from the streets to global recognition, first bursting onto the scene as top scorer at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he helped Nigeria lift the trophy.

From there, he moved through European clubs in Germany, Belgium and France before securing a record transfer to Napoli. In Italy, he became one of the most feared forwards in the game, winning the Serie A Golden Boot and spearheading a historic league title triumph for the club.

Yet, despite his rise to elite status, Osimhen continues to emphasise that education should not be sacrificed on the altar of sporting ambition. Addressing young players at a Nigerian academy, he urged them to treat schooling as a vital safety net and a tool that will remain long after the cheers in the stadium fade.