Victor Osimhen’s journey with Napoli, once marked by triumph and affection, has soured dramatically over the past year. This once-celebrated partnership, which saw Napoli clinch the Serie A title and Osimhen secure the Golden Boot, has devolved into a bitter dispute, leaving fans and observers stunned by the swift deterioration.
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A Passionate Affair Turned Sour
The love affair between Osimhen and Napoli began with immense promise. The Nigerian striker, hailed as one of Africa’s brightest talents, joined Napoli in a €70 million transfer. His arrival coincided with a renaissance for the club, echoing the glory days of Diego Maradona. Together, they achieved what many thought was unattainable: Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years and Osimhen’s recognition as the league’s top scorer.
However, this fairy-tale romance began to unravel with the departure of Luciano Spalletti, who left for the Italian national team after the 2022/23 season. Rudi Garcia’s appointment as head coach introduced a new era fraught with conflict.
Clash with Rudi Garcia
Garcia’s tenure was marked by instability, particularly in his relationship with Osimhen. The rift became public in September 2023 during a match against Bologna. Osimhen’s frustration over a missed penalty and subsequent substitution led to a heated confrontation with Garcia. The incident sparked widespread media coverage and set the stage for further discord.
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A Mockery That Crossed the Line
Tensions escalated when Napoli’s official TikTok account posted a video seemingly mocking Osimhen’s penalty miss. The clip, which featured a sped-up version of the miss set to high-pitched audio, was met with outrage from fans and critics alike. Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, threatened legal action, and the player responded by erasing all Napoli-related content from his Instagram.
Contract Negotiations and Renewed Strains
Amid the growing discontent, negotiations for a contract renewal became a point of contention. Despite publicly agreeing to terms, Osimhen and Napoli experienced a protracted and strained negotiation process. By December 2023, Osimhen signed a new deal reportedly worth €10 million per season with a €130 million release clause. However, the process left lingering bitterness on both sides.
Public Outbursts and Transfer Drama
The relationship further deteriorated with public disputes involving Osimhen’s teammates. In January 2024, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’s agent criticized Osimhen’s ambition, leading to an angry outburst from the striker. This clash highlighted the fractured dynamics within the team.
As the 2023/24 season ended, Osimhen’s request for a transfer was met with indifference. Napoli, having appointed Antonio Conte, no longer considered Osimhen a key player, focusing instead on finding a replacement. Despite interest from Chelsea and Al Ahli, negotiations for a transfer fell through, largely due to disagreements over salary and transfer fees.
Exclusion from the Squad
In a dramatic turn of events, Napoli excluded Osimhen from their Serie A squad for the 2024/25 season. His number was reassigned to new signing Romelu Lukaku, symbolizing the end of an era. The club’s decision to omit him from their squad marked a stark conclusion to a once-promising partnership.
Victor Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli, marked by a rise to glory and a dramatic fall, illustrates the complexities of professional football. What began as a fairy-tale romance ended in a series of disputes and confrontations, leaving fans to ponder how such a celebrated alliance could deteriorate so rapidly. As Osimhen prepares to join Galatasaray on loan, both he and Napoli move forward, forever changed by their tumultuous journey together.
Source: The Cable
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