Victor Osimhen reveals he waited one hour for a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo, calling it a dream come true and hailing the star’s legendary personality

Victor Osimhen waited an hour to meet Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the encounter as one of the most memorable moments of his football journey.

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The Nigerian striker, who was crowned 2023 African Player of the Year, said he had no shame in waiting patiently just for a photograph with his idol after a Serie A clash in 2021.

Osimhen spoke about the experience in a recent chat with broadcaster Daddy Freeze. He explained that growing up, he idolised football legends like Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, and made it a mission to collect memories with them whenever he had the chance.

“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!” he confessed.

After a match against Juventus, Osimhen approached Ronaldo, asking for a photo. To his delight, the Portuguese star agreed and invited him to the dressing room.

What followed, however, was a lengthy wait. “Buffon saw me, came to me, and asked what I wanted. He went to the gym and told me Ronaldo was working out,” Osimhen said. “We were just talking, it was almost 30 minutes, he was not out yet. I waited for one hour.”

Despite the delay, Osimhen’s admiration only grew stronger. When Ronaldo eventually emerged, he made a striking impression on the young striker.

“Look at the laps and the veins – you’d think he was 25 years old at that time,” Osimhen recalled, expressing amazement at Ronaldo’s physical condition.

Their meeting ended with a handshake and a few words from Ronaldo that Osimhen clearly holds dear. “He said, ‘Great game, just keep on going,’ and I shook his hand,” the Nigerian said. “Nobody is surprised seeing Ronaldo doing what he’s doing now, but he’s actually a great personality.”

Ronaldo, now 40, continues to compete at the highest level, having recently led Portugal to UEFA Nations League glory. He is reportedly set to extend his stay at Saudi side Al-Nassr, where he remains a key figure both on and off the pitch.

Meanwhile, Osimhen’s own future is being closely watched. Despite a record-breaking season on loan at Galatasaray—where he scored 37 goals and helped the Turkish club win the league and cup double—he turned down a massive €50m-a-year offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Football pundit Rio Ferdinand has speculated that Osimhen is holding out for a move to Manchester United, suggesting the striker is waiting for the right opportunity to return to a top European league.

Also read: Victor Osimhen’s Return On Monday Confirmed

For now, though, Osimhen’s story serves as a reminder that even football’s rising stars still have heroes of their own.