Osimhen opens up his soul: "Napoli treated me like a dog!"

Victor Osimhen and Napoli - the passionate and fruitful relationship that came to a bitter end. Both parties went their separate ways and are currently doing well.

After a year-long loan, Galatasaray bought the striker for €75 million, and he's so far paid off. The Istanbul side tops the Turkish Super Lig table and tonight faces Juventus (20.45) in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs.

However, some wounds do not heal easily and quickly. It takes time. And when someone reopens them, they tend to hurt even more. In fact, they hurt so bad that only an honest confession can help them heal faster.

Galata Lions hunt the Zebras, Osimhen hunts record

The renowned Italian newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, did exactly that in an in-depth interview with Osimhen. They touched his sore spot, asking him about his split with Napoli, and received more than candid answers.

It all started in September 2023, with Osimhen's missed penalty against Bologna (the game ended in a goalless draw), after which a rather controversial video was posted on the Neapolitans' official TikTok account. In it, the Nigerian was mocked for wasting the spot-kick and compared to a coconut. Naturally, he didn't like this "joke attempt" and deleted all Napoli-related photos from his Instagram.

Little did anyone know that it was only the beginning of a long-lasting war...

"I feel sorry for the fans, especially because I've never spoken about what happened. Some of them showed up at my house asking for explanations. We talked, and I asked them to put themselves in my shoes. After Napoli posted that video on TikTok, something definitely broke."

"Anyone can miss a penalty, anyone can be mocked for it. Napoli only did it to me, and with certain innuendos, too. I was the victim of racist insults, and I made my decision: I wanted to leave. I deleted photos of me in a Napoli shirt from my Instagram, and they seized the opportunity to turn the fans against me. And to think, my daughter, for me, is more Neapolitan than Nigerian…" Osimhen began his confession.

Osimhen reveals reasons for leaving Napoli

The problems surrounding his move from Naples followed. The Super Eagle had numerous offers, but the club wasn't keen on letting him leave easily.

"We had a gentlemen's agreement that I could leave the following summer, but the other side didn't fully keep their promise. They tried to send me to play everywhere, treating me like a dog. Go here, go there, do this, do that... I worked so hard to advance my career, I couldn't accept that kind of treatment. I'm not a puppet," Osimhen revealed.

In the end, he ended up at Galatasaray and did not regret making that move.

"I found a club and a city I love, maybe it was a stroke of luck. As soon as you arrive in Istanbul, you understand why everyone who's played here has fallen in love with the team and the people. I've never experienced anything like it."

"We're trying to grow internationally. We've signed other top-class players, and we're aiming to do well in the Champions League. We're an established force in Turkey, but now we want to make our mark in Europe," he said.

However, he regrets one thing regarding his time with Napoli.

"No one ever publicly apologized for what happened. After that famous video, Edoardo De Laurentiis called me several times. Stop. Meanwhile, there were rumors that I was late to the pitch, that I was arguing with my teammates... It's all lies. I feel sorry for the fans, but I understand and admire them: they always support the club. For them, Napoli comes first," the striker admitted.

He'll want to forget 2024

Finally, he touched on the duel against Juve, revealing that he was close to joining the Old Lady at one point.

"Yes, just as I could be at two other top Serie A clubs today. Before negotiations with Galatasaray began, Giuntoli called me to bring me to Juve. I spoke to a couple of people at the club, and they showed interest, but I knew he (De Laurentiis, whom Osimhen never mentions, ed.) wouldn't let me go. In any case, the interest was definitely there. And when Juve calls you, regardless of everything, you have to sit down and listen," concluded Osimhen.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS

First leg

Tuesday

20.45: (3.60) Galatasaray (3.50) Juventus (2.15)

23.00: (4.20) Benfica (3.60) Real Madrid (1.95)

23.00: (2.10) Dortmund (3.50) Atalanta (3.80)

23.00: (5.70) Monaco (4.50) PSG (1.60)

Wednesday

20.45: (7.75) Qarabag (4.50) Newcastle (1.42)

23.00: (5.00) Bodo (3.90) Inter (1.68)

23.00: (3.85) Club Brugge (3.90) Atl.Madrid (1.95)

23.00: (2.50) Olympiakos (3.35) Leverkusen (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***