When Victor Moses began to garner more recognition, he was just 14 years old.
When Whitgift Under-14s defeated red-shirted, Grimsby-based Healing School 5-0 in the National Schools Cup, the headline “Holy Moses – Wonder Player Parts The Red Sea” appeared in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph.
Moses’s quest to football glory, trophies, and becoming an England and African champion began in those early days.
Prior to that, however, he had already been on a personal journey that started with an unfathomable family tragedy, which added to the remarkableness and inspiration of everything he went on to do with club and country.
After his parents, Austin, a Christian pastor, and Josephine, were killed in their Kaduna home during religious riots in 2002, Moses, who presently plays for Luton Town in the Championship, came to England as an orphaned asylum seeker at the age of eleven. Moses was playing football on the street, which was his favorite activity, when he received the terrible news.
Before sufficient funds could be obtained to transfer Moses to England, where he was placed in foster care, he was held in secret by an uncle for a week out of fear for his safety.
Moses knew no one and didn’t speak a word of English.
He also experienced severe culture shock, which was exacerbated by the cold.
If nothing else, Moses was at least comfortable with the sport he loved.
He told The Independent, “Football helped me settle.”
Moses changed the fortunes of Cosmos, a local league team, before being selected by Crystal Palace.The Eagles then suggested Whitgift, one of the top schools in the area, for Moses.
He flourished because of their excellent instruction, first-rate facilities, and welcoming atmosphere; joining the school system also helped him adjust.
“It was really tough at first, but I made it through,” he added.
16-year-old first professional appearanceA 50-goal season for Palace’s U14s, in addition to his memorable cup final performance, demonstrated the extraordinary talent they had on their hands. Fast-tracked Moses made his professional debut against Cardiff City in November 2007 at the age of 16.
He was sold to Wigan Athletic in January 2010 due to Palace’s financial difficulties, and after 74 games and eight goals for the Latics, Chelsea acquired him in August 2012.
From losing favor and being loaned out for three straight seasons to playing a key role in Antonio Conte’s 2016–17 Premier League winning team while playing an unfamiliar wing-back position, his stint at Stamford Bridge proved to be an interesting one.
With the Stamford Bridge team, Moses also won the FA Cup and the Europa League thrice.