Comparing Victor Osimhen and Didier Drogba’s Stats at the Age of 25

• It is widely known that Victor Osimhen's idol is Didier Drogba
• The Napoli man is the reigning African Footballer of the Year
• Their numbers at the age of 25 are different for many reasons

Victor Osimhen and Didier Drogba are two of Africa's greatest strikers.

The reigning African Footballer of the Year is in the early stages of his career but has achieved a lot, while the Ivorian icon retired as a legend of African football.

The Nigerian has scored over 100 goals at the age of 25 - how do his numbers compare to those of his hero, Drogba?

The Ivory Coast legend wore the Chelsea jersey for several seasons and ushered in an era of unprecedented success. He inspired hundreds of African footballers like Osimhen, as a result.

Maradona to Mertens: List of top 10 Napoli legends of all time ranked

Football

The 46-year-old had a significant impact on Osimhen's career.

"The whole world knows that I am inspired by Didier Drogba," the Napoli striker said in an interview for Napoli's YouTube channel.

"When I was a child, they introduced me to his [Drogba] style of football, the passionate fans, and then the whole community pushed me to follow him.

"And so, I started to take an interest in him, to watch many clips, and learn from his movements and integrate them into my way of playing."

Osimhen is now one of the best strikers in the world and among the best players on the African continent. Here's how their numbers in club football at age 25 compare.

Didier Drogba's career numbers

The Ivorian retired in 2018 after two decades as a professional footballer. He played for Chelsea, Olympique Marseille, and Galatasaray, among others. His best moments came when he wore the blue Chelsea shirt.

Revealed! The top 10 most skilled footballers in the world right now

Football

It is important to note that Drogba did not play top-flight football until he was 23 when French side, Guingamp, signed him from Ligue 2 side, Le Mans, in 2002, per the BBC.

He was a Marseille player 18 months later, and a year later, he was wearing a Chelsea jersey. The Ivorian arrived at Stamford Bridge during the first Jose Mourinho era.

He lifted three Premier League titles in his first eight seasons and won another league title in 2015. The striker also won four FA Cups and three League Cups.

Drogba won most of these titles when he was past 25. He scored 302 goals in his club career, but how many were scored before he clocked 26?

The Ivorian legend turned 25 in March 2003. Therefore, he had 64 goals at 25 for Le Mans, Guingamp, and Marseille in 121 games.

Victor Osimhen's stats at 25

Revealed! 15 times Kylian Mbappé shocked the football world

Football

The Nigerian turned 25 in December 2023 and had a Serie A title and the league's Golden Boot. He was way ahead of schedule compared to Drogba at the same age.

Before joining Napoli in 2020, the Nigerian centre-forward had played in the Bundesliga for Wolfsburg, the Jupiler Pro League for Charleroi, and Ligue 1 for Lille.

The Super Eagles star had a difficult spell at Wolfsburg but found his feet in Belgium at Charleroi. He bagged 20 goals in 36 appearances in his lone season in Belgium (2018/19).

In the 2019/20 campaign, he joined French giants, Lille, where he spent one season. He registered 18 goals in 38 games.

Those numbers convinced Napoli to sign him up for a club-record fee in 2020. Four seasons later, he has lived up to the price tag.

He helped the club lift their first Serie A title in 33 years in 2022/23. He also became the first African to win the Serie A Golden Boot. The Nigerian has scored 76 goals for the club after four seasons - thus, Osimhen has achieved more than Drogba at the age of 25.

A list of the best Nigerian players abroad: Super Eagles’ best footballers

Football

All stats courtesy of Transfermarkt.

Osimhen vs Eto'o at 25

Sports Brief also previously compared Samuel Eto'o and Osimhen's numbers at the age of 25.

The Cameroon legend played for the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan, winning many trophies.