Watch: What Is Success?
Isaac Success sat down with our cameras for an in-depth interview about his African upbringing, his breakthrough trial and his rise in football across Europe with Udinese, Granada and now Watford.
The Hornets striker discussed his upbringing in Nigeria, where he was forced to find ways of feeding himself and his family, going as far as sneaking into weddings to find something to eat.
“It was tough,” he said. “Sometimes there was security and when we got thrown out we had to plead with them. We would offer to do something like pack up the bottles or the plates. Sometimes we got lucky and sometimes we didn’t get lucky and we’ll just go home from there.”
Football has always been a passion for Success and, even though he had very little money to hand, he always found ways to watch the sport he loves.
“I would go to the sports centre to watch football but before I could watch I would clean the chairs before I could get in, because I had no money to pay and watch,” he said. “I would sit on the floor and go home after so I’ve always had a passion for the game.”

Growing up in Benin City in Nigeria, Success did not have access to pitches to play on with his friends, but this did not stop him.
“We used to play on the street, me and my friends against the boys on the next street,” he said. “What makes it more fun is when we had a globe light and we wrapped it in gold cigarette paper to look like the World Cup.
“We would put it somewhere and look for a referee to officiate it and after whoever wins would take the trophy. We were really passionate about it but it was just a globe and a cigarette wrapper, it brought more emotions to it. I would think about playing in the biggest stadiums and it being a proper trophy.
“When I was on the street I remember the team came to Benin City and I remember thinking ‘someday I want to be there and wear the jersey’. Seeing myself wear the jersey a couple of times, its everything for me – it’s crazy. I think it makes you strong, but I want to be stronger.”