The Lasting Legacy of Victor Wanyama: Shattering Boundaries in Football

He is undoubtedly still regarded as one of the best midfielders to have ever played.

He began playing football at a young age and showed off his skills on the field.

For Kenyan supporters in particular, the name of former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama previously had great promise in the football world.

He changed the game forever by being the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League and is well-known throughout the world.

Early Professional Life and Discovery

Wanyama started playing football at an early age and immediately showed off his extraordinary skill on the field. He signed his first international contract with Belgium’s Beerschot AC in 2010. He attracted the attention of Celtic FC after a string of impressive performances, and they signed him in 2011.

Wanyama made history at Celtic as the Scottish team shocked Barcelona 2-1 in a dramatic UEFA Champions League match. He gained international recognition for his dominant midfield presence, which was crucial in achieving the victory.

Injury Battles and the Dream of the Premier League

He became the most expensive Kenyan football player at the time when Southampton FC signed him in 2013 for a then-record $12.5 million after he had shown great promise at Celtic.

He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2016 for $11 million as a result of his continuous dominance in the midfield.

Nevertheless, he experienced injury setbacks during his tenure at Spurs. His playing time was impacted by several operations required due to a severe knee injury.

In a previous interview, Wanyama disclosed, “I did not get enough chances to play and enjoy football when I got back from injury.”

He transferred to CF Montréal in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2019 after failing to recover a starting position at Tottenham.

Wanyama left his imprint even if MLS competition was not as fierce as that of the Premier League. However, persistent injury issues caused him to perform inconsistently.

Leaving International Football

Wanyama declared in 2021 that he would no longer be playing for the Harambee Stars, citing:

Kenyan football is impacted by inadequate facilities; disarray and lack of support; and the chaotic management of the national team.

His assertions were supported by Kenya’s poor performance in the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers. It was challenging to balance club and national team responsibilities, he added, particularly when facing injury setbacks.

Impact and Legacy

Wanyama left the spotlight after years of dealing with injuries and tactical adjustments. He is still regarded as one of Kenya’s best midfield players, though.

Many aspiring football players will continue to be inspired by his narrative, which includes creating history in the Champions League and breaking into the Premier League.