TheSuperNerd: Ahead of Osimhen's first ever face off vs The World's Biggest Football Club, the Elite of the Elites, Giant of all Giants, Real Madrid, Mark Doyle of Goal writes....
The Nigerian shares a deep bond with Naples and its people - but relations with his club are strained after two stupid social media posts
Ahead of Tuesday's mouth-watering Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli coach Rudi Garcia praised his side's illustrious opponents for replacing Karim Benzema with Jude Bellingham.
However, while the Englishman is a multi-skilled generational talent that has done an outstanding job to date of making up for the shock loss of one of the game's great goalscorers, he is not a No.9, as even Garcia acknowledged. So, it would be foolish - and indeed unfair - to expect him to maintain his current strike-rate of seven goals in eight games.
Of course, Joselu has made a reasonable start to his Santiago Bernabeu career, as Garcia also pointed out, but the 33-year-old is neither an elite-level striker nor a long-term solution. But let's face it, if Madrid want to get back to winning Champions Leagues, they need a world-class centre-forward, just like the one they will be going up against in Naples.
And what's so fascinating about this crunch Group C clash is that Victor Osimhen might even be attainable during the January transfer window, thanks in no small part to one of the most shocking social media gaffes in Italian football history.
Diplomatic incident Napoli posted two videos to TikTok after last month's 0-0 draw with Bologna. In one, Osimhen was mocked for missing a penalty. In the other, he was compared to a coconut. Both were eventually taken down - but by that stage it was too late. The damage had already been done.
The posts had literally created a diplomatic incident, with Nigeria's sports minister, Senator John Owah Enoh, revealing that contact had been made with not only the player himself, but also the country's ambassador to Italy to ensure that "our athletes are afforded the respect they deserve and that they are not exposed to injustice, discrimination and unfair teasing".
Napoli insisted that it had never been their intention to "offend" Osimhen, whom they described "as a treasure of this club", and pointed out that they had rebuffed every offer received for the forward during the summer transfer window to further underline how highly they value him.
'Nobody wanted to be hurtful'
It was a very modern apology, though. Napoli were only 'sorry if anyone was offended' and the problem was that Osimhen was outraged by the posts. While he was deleting every single Napoli-related image from his Instagram account, his agent, Roberto Calenda, was threatening legal action.
Garcia tried to calm the situation, arguing "Nobody wanted to be hurtful, not the TikTok with the video of Victor, nor Victor by taking down his photographs on social media. Nobody intended to hurt anyone, these are instinctive reactions and are understandable."
However, Osimhen remains miffed. He appeared to blank his team-mates before Napoli's next outing, against Udinese, and also refused to celebrate after scoring in the 4-0 win at the Maradona. His subsequent strike against Lecce on Saturday was also met with a muted reaction, which only heightened the tension among Napoli fans.
'I will not allow anyone to come between us' Osimhen finally broke his silence the following day to express his enduring love for Naples and its peoples. "I will not allow anyone to come between us," he declared on Instagram. "The passion of the people of Naples fuels my fire to always play with my heart and soul, and the love for the badge is unwavering as I wear it with pride."
Tellingly, though, Osimhen made no mention of the club itself, which has led to further speculation over his future.
There's certainly no denying that this controversy could not have come at a worse time for Napoli, who are presently trying to tie Osimhen down to a new contract. An extension looked set to be signed during the summer, but the two parties have still not come to an agreement over the size of the buy-out clause, which is obviously of great interest to the many clubs interested in Osimhen's services.
Al-Hilal, remember, offered a fee in the region of €200 million (£174m/$212m) for the 24-year-old during the off-season, only to be told by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, "Your offer can buy a single foot of Osimhen. For next year, I think you'll be able to offer €500m and we'll maybe consider your offer, but I'll repeat myself: maybe."
The thing is, though, as it stands, Napoli won't be able to demand such a fee for Osimhen next year, given his contract expires in 2025. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that they get Osimhen to not only put pen to paper on a new deal, but also get him to agree to a buy-out clause that ensures that Napoli will not be short-changed when the time comes to cash in on their most valuable asset.
Because make no mistake about it: Osimhen will eventually move on. He's never hidden his desire to play for a top Premier League club (he grew up idolising Didier Drogba, for what it's worth), while it's also been claimed that Madrid are the only team he'd consider joining.
Mbappe and Osimhen could play together
A move to the Bernabeu would certainly make a lot of sense, as it would provide Osimhen with the platform he deserves to prove himself a genuine superstar, while at the same time filling the colossal void left by Benzema in the Blancos' attack.
Of course, in terms of like-for-like replacements, Harry Kane would have been the better option for Madrid. The England captain is, just like Benzema, capable of serving a side as both a provider and a finisher. Kane would have tied the forward line together in a very similar way to the Frenchman.
However, it's easy to understand why Madrid baulked at the idea of paying a nine-figure fee for a 30-year-old, particularly when they remain intent on prising Kylian Mbappe away from Paris Saint-Germain. The World Cup winner remains Florentino Perez's primary transfer target and there remains the suspicion that Mbappe will end up at the Bernabeu eventually.
But that shouldn't rule Real out of a move for Osimhen - at least not from a sporting perspective. For starters, he does not play in the same position as Mbappe and the idea of two such pacey young attackers lining up alongside Vinicius Jr is a mouth-watering prospect, even for neutrals.
In that sense, Osimhen is actually an even better fit for Madrid than Kane. It's not just that he's faster or younger, he's also far more more appealing from a marketing perspective, given he is such a joy to watch in full flow.
Indeed, many pundits and coaches would argue that while Osimhen is not as prolific as Erling Haaland, he is far more exciting to watch, as he can sometimes evoke memories of the great Ronaldo by taking on entire defences on his own. As former Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri once told DAZN, "Osimhen is phenomenal because he runs alone at five players and still gets through."
Madrid are undeniably crying out for such a striker. The Liga leaders have made an encouraging start to the 2023-24 campaign, but the fear remains that they will eventually pay the price for refusing to sign a world-class replacement for Benzema, particularly in the latter stages of the Champions League. In truth, it wouldn't even be a surprise if their hopes of topping their group were dealt a heavy blow by Osimhen himself on Tuesday night.
So, if there is any chance of exploiting the current tension at the Maradona during the January transfer window, then Madrid must take it. Osimhen's bond with the people of Naples remains as strong as ever, but it's clear that his relationship with the city's club has hit an all-time low.
One can be sure, then, that Madrid will be among the many clubs monitoring Osimhen's every move in the coming days, weeks and months - both on the field and, perhaps more importantly, on social media.
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This is one is not a record. I have a friend who is worst than this, his disability oh my God is pathetic but is married with kids and the kids looked like him,no need for DNA but till date am always seeing his wife as a real woman
AndSunGorilla: Baba sheynu watch Awoniyi yesterday? E don they small when Awoniyi scored (by his own standards).
Yes but scored a goal that was disallowed against Brentford,his overall displayed on the field so far cool,3 goals and two assists but need to go back to his scoring form cuz other eagles strikers are not smiling,Akor and Onuachu are waiting
komekn: Oniovo Dude is in the worst team in the Portuguese league. The league is rated number 7 in Europe.
Do you think Chavrs is better than a League one team because I don't think so , without prejudice.
Nwakali is very poor quality player, long ballnis not a particular oustanding skill set.
I know 13/14 year old boys that can do 35 yard pinpoint accurate passes and crosses. So stop acting like Nwakali is the only player who can do long ball it's a basic skill not exceptional one.
Well let's see what Fisayo has to offer but Aribo didn't deserve the invitation.
Marjoribanks: Fantastic list! However, I think Adams, Nwakali and Onuachu should have been added since it's a friendly match. I want to see Nwakali with those long balls to Osimhen machine like Olise to Yekini at AFCON 1994!
I think Peseiro has settled for Osimhen, Boniface, Awoniyi and Moffi/Orban, all they need is continue performances in eagles to make final cut.. Akor and Onuachu will make the team if only injury occurs... Nwakili should continue putting a good shift in his club, possibly he gets Peseiro attention.
AndSunGorilla: Fantastic list in my opinion!!!! What's happening to Zaidu? Also is Aribo's invitation justified? Truth be told he put in a good shift against Guinea Bissau or those guys we beat in their country 3-2 or so?
Good list,but Aribo didn't deserve to be on the list.
komekn: João Félix Sequeira who couldn't get out the starting block at Chelsea is doing a lot better in Barcelona.
A warning to those who think 🤔 that all players can adapt to any league or playing system of a CLUB.
Particularly where V.O. is concerned, he will leave but he has to perform, adapt,create new skill sets,be mentally resilient exponentially this season otherwise his value will go down as rapidly as it went up.
Victor Osimhen is a made striker for any league or do you want to tell me Haaland will fail in any league.
komekn: First of all without righteousness ther can be no progress.
We have enthroned illegality, deceit, lawlessness, corruption, fraud, bribery, corruption, destroyed the rule of law ⚖️, election rigging, principle of separation of power's only in name not practice and one man personifies all of these debased perveted sins against man ,the nation and God , more than anybody else JAGABAN in the entire history of Nigeria.
Breaking news: Judge Nancy Maldonado Rules in Favour of Atiku, Orders Chicago State University to Release Bola Tinubu’s Academic Records, Gives Monday 2nd October 2023 As Deadline. Judge Maldonado also noted that any request for stay of this judgement from Tinubu will be denied.
Let irreparable personal damage please begin so Nigeria can be freed from Tyrannical Rule.
Happy lndependence Day . ☺️☺️☺️
Good that court granted Atiku request,any outcome will either mar or give credence to Tinubu academic results.Also the image of CSU as a university is at stake,so they must give us unedited information cuz Nigerians are watching with keen interests.
I don’t really want to talk more on the election cuz of religion and tribal sentiments we Nigerians always use to determine our leaderships and these have not been helping us.
Nigeria elections from time immemorial are always not credible based on the different factors,so whoever emerges as winner always has opposition to face due to our weakling electoral processes.
The international observers who are not biased always having contradictory opinions about Nigeria elections cuz the electoral system is flawed and corrupt.
My question to you,are you condemning the election based on Tinubu emergent or it was your general review of the elections.
Nigeria elections generally are fraudulent,so difficult to defend unless one is emotionally trying to manipulate things to favor his candidate.The processes is too weak to produce any credible candidate.
AndSunGorilla: 10 10 Bright Omokaro wasn't discovered by Westerhoff and didn't even play under him. Rather he featured in Manfred Hoener's 88 squad and played a lot for my favorite team Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
AndSun,it’s SOOTING Abi you never hear Ibadan fans…Dey turned Shooting to Sooting stars.
Yes you are right on Omokaro,in fact the man Dey Ibadan and is doing well.
NotAWierdo: So na here Onyekuru and Nwakaeme dey ball. See our "young boys" put head together go Saudi to chop money on a low-key. At least they will have the opportunity to play against the GOAT twice in a year. So it's not all that bad
AndSunGorilla: Legend!!!! One of Westerhoff's discoveries!!!!! Made SE for Algiers because the "stars" Sunday Eboigbe, Keshi, Sofoluwe for some reason couldn't make AFCON 90. Uche, Friday Elastic Elahor, Daniel Amokachi, Ben Iroha, Moses Kpakor,Alloy Agu, Thompson Oliha, Isaac Semitoje are notable discoveries from that set who stayed around for a while. Ayo Ogunlana, Toyin Ayinla, Baldwin Bazuaye, Ademola Adesina, Andrew Uwe, Herbert Anijekwu, Peter Obanor, Emma Okocha were some of the other players in that team that I remember. Of course Goals Father Rashidi Yekini was ever present too
Taylor92: Its obvious Sam Larry is still bitter over the N2million
See as he dey even call Mohbad “this boy”
If you’re a Mohbad fan hoping on Justice then you’re new to Nigeria
Before Sam Larry must have gathered liver to come back to Nigeria so many supreme politicians he works for must have assured him of “nothing go happen just come make e be like say you dey run”
Same people that hailed INEC for rigging are still same people that’s calling on Nigeria police not to rig this case in favor of Larry and Marley
One thing is sure….Nairaland is for Nairalanders so all posts ends here.
Meliforme: I am not disrespecting our players. They should keep improving like Samuel Chukwueze is doing now.
Yes they should all keep improving but Chuckwueze they should emulate has not done anything this season compared to what Lookman and Simon have done so far.
I’m waiting for Chuckwueze to take Seria A by storm cuz he can do it.Good that he started the last match and had good game.
mostob: Please and please... don't ever disregard our wingers just because you want to push your Ejuke agenda (which is invalid in the first place). If Ejuke can't even make the matchday squad in Belgium league, he has no business in eagles set up.
Who TF is Balikis? How is he better than Samu and Lookman?
And tell me, which do you prefer between output and keeping possession? At the end of everything, goals and goals are what matter.
Michel Balikwisha is Belgian Under 21 player for God sake.
Meliforme: Ejuke brings more passing skills to his game. You can rely on him to help you build up plays. I have seen him switch plays with diagonal long balls to help his teammates out of tight situations.
Ejuke contributes more to defense.
Ejuke sits on the bench because the Belgian international who starts in his stead is a better player, and better than all the wingers that we have. Decision making, passing, contributions to defense, Michel Balikwisha towers over all that we have on the wings.
Ejuke meagre minutes in Antwerp's colours have seen him defending more and this is good for his development. I pray he learns and improves the more.
Ademola Lookman is not a better winger than Chidera Ejuke. Lookman is just a better goal scorer and that is even arguable. Play Ademola Lookman on the wings in a team that likes to keep possession of the ball, and he won't do much. He is more of a finisher.
Sir Meli,a Belgian Under 21 player of Congolese descent Michel Balikwisha benching Ejuke meaning he is better than Lookman,Chuckwueze and Simon.
Sports › Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Kog45(m): 9:21pm On Oct 04, 2023
