Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is considering legal action against Napoli after a video mocking him was posted and then deleted from the Serie A champions’ official TikTok on Tuesday.
Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda revealed this in a statement on his X handle formerly known as Twitter.
The controversial video came about after Osimhen missed a penalty in Napoli’s 0-0 draw against Bologna on Sunday.
In the video Osimhen was shown appealing for the penalty, with a strange sped-up voice used in place of his own voice.
Then he demanded to take the penalty before the video showed him blasting it off target.
With less than 10 minutes left Osimhen was substituted and appeared to be angry with the decision of the Napoli coach Rudi Garcia.
Reacting to the video which has since been deleted, Calenda condemned it, stating it can affect the player.
“What happened today (Tuesday) on Napoli’s official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted.
“A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last period between media trials and fake news.
Also Read: Napoli Chief De Laurentiis Under Investigation For False Accounting In Osimhen Deal
“We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor.”
The penalty miss against Bologna means Osimhen has failed to score in his last four games in all competitions.
He has scored three goals in five appearances for Napoli this season.
He became the first African to finish top scorer in Serie A as he bagged 26 goals to help Napoli emerge champions for the first time since 1990.
10 Comments
Racism, like fascism sits deep in Italian stomachs. Like an active volcano, it foams and bubbles up into their mouths now and again.
How long is his current contract? Cos I’d advise him to live in January. Don’t stay where you’re not wanted and leave when the ovation is loudest. That’s how Lukaku rolls Even Kvara is readying to leave for Madrid or Barca.
A round of applause @Kellyman. You nailed it. It will be wise for Osimene to leave Napoli as soon as possible. He has tried for them.
Yes o @Abo my man. Always love your unrelenting support for every Nigerian player you believe deserves a call or trial.
As for Victor, while not condoning his outburst (as he often can get temperamental). the disrespect at Napoli in spite of his heroics and hard work last season is glaring. In fact, Kvara was crowned the poster boy for the historic league win after 33 years. So it was Maradona for 1990 and Kvara for 2023. Quite sad.
Osimhen will do well to look beyond a club pedigree in choosing his next destination. Coaches like Jose Mourinho who believe and love African players (or players of African descent) as their forward line are a great choice, Right from his early days at Porto with Benni Mccarthy of SA to CIV’s Didier Drogba at Chelsea to Tammy Abraham and Lukaku at Roma today, he’s never hidden his preference for an African as his main striker. Other coaches in that category are Klop, Arteta, and Wenger when he was still active.
I wont commend osimhen for his behaviour because what he did was wrong. no matter how he felt at the time, he shouldnt have shouted or reacted the way he did to the coach in such a public fashion. i do feel that all that is currently going on is a prelude to osimhen eventually leaving the club. although i could be wrong. i hope that Napoli can work out their tactical deficiencies and get back to firing on all cylinders.
Sometimes it’s good to have a downtime to see the true colors of those you think loves you. Huh this is not surprising after all the high praise last season when the whole stadium will erupt his name. Napoli showed their true colors after winning the trophy and not giving star players befitting contracts that was when I knew that the club is not a serious one their coach also had enough and left with funny excuse.
After this season both Osigoal will grow up not to trust people by words but by action since all the president does is to promise the players big pay rise but end up selling them for personal gains. Imagine a whole Kvara Seria A player of the season is still earning meager 1million per season and you expect him to be effective with such low morale!!!
Come to think of it…..These are thee fools Osimhen missed a whole Afcon for. These guys have to realize that racism is still real in these leagues in Europe don’t let you performance cloud your thoughts….They love u when u are doing well but then the racism creeps in on a slow day or days in office.
the videos were inappropriate and unprofessional, they shouldnt have done that.
Heard a second taunting video was posted on Napoli’s TikTok account, comparing Victor to a coconut head. It sings ‘I’m a coconut. I’m a coconut head” in that same comic high-pitched voice. Like the first video, this one too has been immediately deleted. These bullies or hackers will just succeed in psychologically destabilizing the boy and make him lose steam which will dip his game. I just hope Victor didn’t sign a long contract and he can leave in January.
The disrespect is unbecoming and unacceptable. Osimhen should be open to talks with other clubs.
The question now is – where in this world will Osimhen go that hatred and racism do not exist? Is it England? France? Spain?
If you leave the frying pan that is Napoli and Italy, you might end up in the fire somewhere else.
Even if he comes back home to Naija, on some occasions, fans will still troll him. It’s an unfortunate reality in the game.
The solution? Osimhen should just try and grow a thick skin. Don’t be easily bothered by trolling, because as long as he plays football, it will surely come from time to time.
Osimhen should not move to avoid trolling or racism. These things will be waiting for him wherever he decides to go next. He should rather move to a club that will allow him to thrive professionally and financially.