'I waited an hour for a selfie' – Osimhen shares what Ronaldo told him after Serie A clash

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has shared a captivating anecdote about his determination to secure a selfie with football icon Cristiano Ronaldo following a Serie A match in February 2021. 

The Nigerian star, speaking to media personality Daddy Freeze, recounted the lengths he went to for a cherished moment with the former Juventus forward.

Osimhen, a self-professed admirer of football legends like Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, revealed his unwavering resolve to capture a photo with his idols, regardless of the match outcome. 

"I used to say to my friends, the day I’m going to play against Ronaldo, Messi, or Neymar—these are legends, people I love so much—I’m taking a picture with them. I don’t care, even if we lose 10-0,” Osimhen said.

The opportunity came after Napoli’s 1-0 victory over Juventus in 2021. Spotting Ronaldo post-match, Osimhen seized the moment. 

"I said to him, ‘Chris, I would like to take a picture with you.’ He said, ‘Yeah, come to the dressing room,’” Osimhen recalled. 

Eagerly, the striker rushed to the Juventus dressing room, still in his match kit, boots and all.

What followed was an hour-long wait as Ronaldo completed a gym session. Osimhen described a warm interaction with Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon, who helped locate Ronaldo. 

"Buffon saw me, came to me, and asked what I wanted. He went to the gym and told me Ronaldo was working out, told me to sit with him,” Osimhen said. 

“We were just talking, it was almost 30 minutes, he was not out yet. I waited for one hour, he was still working out.”

After waiting patiently, Osimhen finally met Ronaldo, who was undergoing a massage. 

The Nigerian was struck by Ronaldo’s youthful physique, noting, “Look at the laps and the veins—you’ll think he’s 25 years old at that time.”

Ronaldo graciously posed for a selfie, even encouraging Osimhen to take more photos. 

"He said, ‘Great game, just keep on going,’ and I shook his hand,” Osimhen added, praising Ronaldo’s fluency in English and his approachable demeanor. 

"Nobody is surprised seeing Ronaldo doing what he’s doing now, but he’s actually a great personality."

The 26-year-old striker, who was loaned out to Galatasaray for the 2024–25 season, enjoyed a stellar campaign, scoring 37 goals across all competitions. 

His remarkable form saw him clinch the Turkish Super Lig top scorer title, the league championship, and the Turkish Cup, along with the Goal of the Season award.

The heartwarming story emphasizes  Osimhen’s humility and admiration for his idols, even as he cements his own legacy as one of football’s brightest stars.

Wale Adejumo

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