Victor Osimhen Slammed in Viral Video As Old Men in Edo State Claim He Abandoned Family

• Professed family members in Okhuesan have claimed that Victor Osimhen neglected them after his rise to prominence in international and club football
• The U-17 FIFA World Cup winner has scored 37 goals for Galatasaray this season and is the second-highest goal-scorer for his country, Nigeria, with 25 goals
• The 26-year-old has been linked with several top clubs across Europe in the new window, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia

Superstar striker Victor Osimhen is making headlines off the pitch over claims that he allegedly abandoned his kinsmen in Edo State.

The Super Eagles forward, known for his charitable efforts in Lagos whenever he visits the area, is facing criticism in his home state.

In a viral post on social media, an elderly man named Omuyiwa John accused the Galatasaray loanee of neglecting his hometown.

John, who claims to be related to Osimhen's father, Patrick, stated that they both attended the same primary school.

He shared the supposed story of how the highly-rated striker's father moved to Lagos and eventually met his future wife.

John also claimed the community raised money for Patrick when his wife passed to help complete their marriage rites.

Sharing his disappointment in Victor Osimhen for 'disowning' his community, the man stated in the Facebook video:

"My name is Omuyiwa John, and the person beside me is Monday Egbe. We are around Olenokwa in Okhuesan, Esan South East LGA in Edo State," he began in the viral video.

"Osimhen's father has the same grandfather as me, and I am surprised how he disowned us. His father, Patrick Osimhen, grew up with us, and we attended the same primary school."

John continued emphatically:

"From here, he learnt driving before going to Lagos and got married in Obiaruku in Delta side. Even when his mother died, they put her in the mortuary and compelled us to do the marriage rites before she could be buried because she gave birth to plenty of children."

"The father came from Lagos and begged us for money. The whole money was contributed money and went to Obiaruku to do everything before we were allowed to bury."

Villagers watched Osimhen in the king's palace

John also said the people of Okhuesan were fortunate to watch Osimhen during a UEFA Champions League tie after the State Governor brought a television to the King's palace last year.

He further claimed that the footballer and his siblings refused to bury their father after he died, which is against the tradition of the community, saying:

"Osimhen has never stepped into our community, even when his father died, the children buried his father in Lagos instead of bringing his corpse to the village, which is traditionally not acceptable."

Reactions to man's criticism of Victor Osimhen

Legit.ng compiled some of the comments that trailed the video below.

Samson Edetanlen said:

"Let's be 100 percent sincere. Victor Osimhen doesn't owe the community or family anything. Did they help the father because they knew Osimhen will be a star some day or they helped the man from the bottom of their heart?"

Ehi Eben replied:

"Don’t say that, ur people are ur most trusted ally no matter what home is home, it doesn't concern me but it's painful wen u have such a person of this caliber and those people are still suffering. Does Sadio Mane owe his community or tribe but look what he did for them and the name he has made for him self, both home and abroad. We should be sincere, do u think it's easy for these people? Esan's don't need any child that will not love and respect her. Esan will rise no matter what, it's just only a matter of time."

Onoguolu Tahaka Itepu added:

"Didn't you hear from the family members they all contributed money to pay all for the marriage rites for Victor Osimhen's mother when she died, because Victor Osimhen's father did not pay for her bride price when she was alive. The family of Victor Osimhen's mother from Obiaruku, Delta state refused to bury her telling the family of Victor Osimhen's father to pay all the marriage rites before they could bury her. For the mere fact that the family of Victor Osimhen's father supported and contributed money to save Victor Osimhen's father marital humiliation,Victor Osimhen should support his father family people."

Meanwhile, Osimhen has continued to boost demand for himself in the upcoming transfer window during a blistering season in Turkey with Galatasaray.

With 37 goals across all competitions and a domestic double in Turkey, per Transfermarkt, the Nigerian star is said to have clubs like Manchester United and Al-Hilal chasing his signature.

Osimhen reportedly offered ₦1.3 billion weekly

Legit.ng earlier reported that amid speculation about Osimhen's next club, he could make headlines with one of the most lucrative contracts in football history.

Reports suggested that Saudi Pro League giants, Al-Hilal, had made an offer of ₦1.3 billion per week to try and lure the Nigerian international away from Europe.

The club was reportedly prepared to not only meet Napoli’s €75 million release clause, applied to non-Italian clubs, but also tabled a huge annual salary for Osimhen.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng