Victor Osimhen refuses to take penalties after club mocks him
Victor Osimhen, the talented Nigerian striker, has recently found himself at the center of controversy at Napoli, where his decision to abstain from taking a penalty kick in a match against Udinese has sparked intense debate.
This controversy unfolded within 72 hours of Napoli’s TikTok account posting a video seemingly mocking Osimhen for a penalty miss in their previous game against Bologna.
Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has even hinted at the possibility of legal action against the club for the social media post.
In the midst of these developments, Osimhen’s future with Napoli is hanging in the balance, with reports linking him to English clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea.
The TikTok Controversy
Napoli’s TikTok account triggered the ongoing drama when it posted a video that appeared to ridicule Victor Osimhen’s missed penalty against Bologna.
This post caused outrage, leading Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, to contemplate legal action against Napoli, asserting that the video had tarnished the player’s reputation and caused significant harm. The potential legal action has only intensified the intrigue surrounding this matter.
Osimhen’s Decision Against Udinese
Despite the TikTok controversy and the pressure surrounding him, Victor Osimhen was named in the Napoli starting lineup for their clash against Udinese. However, when Napoli was awarded a penalty in the 19th minute, Osimhen made a surprising decision.
Rather than taking the penalty himself, he entrusted the responsibility to Piotr Zielinski, who duly converted the spot-kick. Osimhen later found the back of the net himself, doubling Napoli’s lead with a composed finish inside the 18-yard box. This twist in the narrative only deepened the mystery surrounding Osimhen’s actions.
Napoli’s Convincing Victory
The Napoli-Udinese match unfolded with Napoli dominating proceedings. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a third goal for Napoli with a quarter of an hour left to play, seemingly sealing the deal. Lazar Samardzic managed to pull one back for Udinese, briefly sparking hope for the visitors.
However, any remaining optimism was dashed when Giovanni Simeone scored Napoli’s fourth goal, securing a convincing home win for Rudi Garcia’s side. This victory saw Napoli rise to fifth place in the standings, putting them back in contention.
Osimhen’s Uncertain Future
Despite Osimhen’s previous success with Napoli, including contributing to their Serie A title win with an impressive 31 goals in all competitions, his future at the club is now uncertain.
Transfer rumors have been circulating, with potential interest from English Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea. The TikTok incident and subsequent developments have further fueled speculation about Osimhen’s departure from Napoli.
Rudi Garcia’s Perspective
Napoli’s coach, Rudi Garcia, offered his perspective on the situation, aiming to downplay the controversy surrounding Osimhen’s missed penalty. Garcia acknowledged that even the greatest players in football history have missed penalties and emphasized that such moments are part and parcel of the game.
He mentioned that he had spoken to Osimhen about his substitution in the previous game but kept the details of their conversation confidential. Garcia underlined the importance of utilizing the entire squad, including Osimhen, who had been designated as the penalty taker.
Victor Osimhen’s recent experiences at Napoli have thrust him into the spotlight, extending beyond his on-field performances. The TikTok video that seemingly mocked his missed penalty, Osimhen’s decision to forego a penalty against Udinese, and the subsequent controversies have cast doubt on his future with the club.
As rumors of potential moves to English clubs persist, Osimhen’s footballing journey remains uncertain. With the summer transfer window approaching, all eyes will be on the next chapter of this talented striker’s career.
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