More Honours for Napoli FC's Victor Osimhen

Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, of Italy's Napoli FC, is gradually working himself into legendary status, and provided his form remains consistent he would be renowned in World football folklore. His grass to grace story about how he transformed from a young child hawking to survive in Nigeria to getting selected into the Nigerian U-17 team, even without being involved with any big Nigerian club side, is known to virtually everyone who has followed his career.

 

THE EMERGENCE OF VICTOR OSIMHEN

Since he emerged as the leading scorer in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which Nigeria won, Victor Osimhen has continued to improve his quality. First was his move to Belgium, then to Lille FC, France, where he won the  2020 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, a prize awarded to the best African player in the French championship. Then his transfer to Napoli FC, with whom he won last year's Scudetto, more than 30 years after the great Diego Armando Maradona, helped them achieve this feat.  He also won the League's highest goal scorer and has been a source of rumor-mongering over his next move. Two months ago, he helped the Nigerian Super Eagles, qualify for the 2024 CAF African Nations Cup.  

It is evident that so far, he’s proven his worth in virtually every league, he’s plied his trade. Very few laurels remain to win to enable him run shoulders with the highest legends of world football. He still has age on his side and so much could still be achieved for club and country.

 

TRANSFER RUMORS ABOUT VICTOR OSIMHEN

Since about six weeks ago when he missed a penalty in their league match against Bologna FC, which created some unfortunate events with his club, there have been serious speculations about his possible move in the January 2024 transfer window, though he's publicly pledged his allegiance to Napoli FC.

Last month, he was named amongst the world's best ten players on the Balloon D'or list and nominated for the African best footballer 2023. These recognitions are a reflection of the consistency he has maintained over a very long period. For a striker with his kind of physicality, it is an immense achievement and his relevance in World football would continue, provided he's able to remain fit and lethal in front of goal.

 

Victor Osimhen currently attracts the attention and relevance given to the new generation of World strikers such as Erdin Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, lately and Jude Bellingham, etc. His capability to remain focused on football, shying from the razzmatazz of his celebrity status is another positive that would see him continue to rise. It would be no surprise if he wins the African Footballer of the Year title this year!

 

With the few very lethal strikers in world football tied down by other big and rich club sides, his continued stay in Napoli FC would definitely be short. He would definitely command a huge transfer fee, with his young age and immense quality. The 2024 CAF African Nations Cup commences in a few months and apart from the Scudetto, this competition would be an immense opportunity to further show his worth, provided his club doesn’t prevent his participation like they did subtly during the last tournament.