In fiery statements that shook Italian football circles, Nigerian star Victor Osimhen, the current Galatasaray striker, revealed the real reasons that led to the end of his journey with Napoli, confirming that a satirical video posted by the club on the “TikTok” platform was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and ignited a crisis that ended with his departure from the club that he led to achieve a historic title.
Historical background: From folk hero to outcast
Osimhen arrived in Naples in the summer of 2020 from Lille in a record-breaking transfer, and quickly proved his worth, becoming one of Europe's top strikers. His career reached its zenith in the 2022-23 season, when he brilliantly led the team to their first Serie A title (Scudetto) in 33 years, an achievement reminiscent of the legendary Diego Maradona. Osimhen became a city icon and a national hero to the fans, who saw him as a symbol of the club's return to glory.
Breaking Point: The Doomed TikTok Video
Everything changed in September 2023 when Napoli's official TikTok account posted a video mocking Osimhen's missed penalty against Bologna. The video, which used a high-pitched voice to ridicule the player's request to take the penalty, sparked outrage and was considered by many, including the player and his agent, to be unprofessional, offensive, and even racist. Osimhen told La Gazzetta dello Sport in an exclusive interview: "After that video, something broke forever. I was subjected to racist insults, and no one offered a public apology.".
The impact of the crisis and its repercussions
The crisis had a profound impact on the relationship between the player and the club's management, headed by Aurelio De Laurentiis. Domestically, the incident created a tense atmosphere within the team, contributing to Napoli's disastrous results the following season and their failure to defend their title. Internationally, the incident damaged the club's reputation regarding its treatment of its stars, particularly those of African descent. Osimhen added that the club tried to blame him for the crisis in the eyes of the fans, despite his deep emotional connection to the city, saying: "They tried to pit me against the fans, even though my daughter feels more Neapolitan than Nigerian.".
Behind the scenes of the departure and the inappropriate treatment
The Nigerian striker also revealed other details, including that Cristiano Giuntoli, Juventus' sporting director, contacted him about a potential transfer before his move to Turkey, an offer Napoli's president categorically rejected. However, his harshest attack was directed at the club's management, whom he accused of failing to honor a "gentleman's agreement" regarding his departure, describing the treatment he received at the end of his contract as unacceptable. He stated sharply, "They treated me like a dog... 'Go ahead and do it.' I'm not a puppet. I've worked hard my whole career and I won't accept this kind of treatment." These strong statements not only reveal a deep personal wound but also highlight the underlying conflicts between players and management in the modern world of football.
