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By Goli Innocent
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has opened up on his future, his turbulent exit from Napoli and the pull of Italian giants Juventus, declaring that he has found both peace and passion at Galatasaray.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nigerian forward spoke with unusual candour, describing Istanbul as a place where he feels genuinely valued. “I am at a club and city I absolutely love,” he said. “I’ve been lucky to find Galatasaray on my way. There’s nothing similar to Gala the love from the fans…”
Osimhen, who has quickly become a fan favourite in Turkey, said the club’s domestic success must now translate to continental impact. “We did great in Turkey, now it’s time to show our quality in Europe,” he added, hinting at unfinished business on the bigger stage.
Yet his remarks also confirmed what many long suspected that Juventus made a serious attempt to lure him away from Naples. “I could have joined Juventus, yes. Juve wanted to sign me… but Napoli president De Laurentiis didn’t want to sell me to Juventus,” he revealed. “For sure, Juventus are a top club. When Juventus call you, you listen.”
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Despite the transfer intrigue, Osimhen was unapologetically confident about his standing among the game’s elite forwards. “I don’t like making comparisons, but I know I’m one of the best strikers. If I’m not number one, then I’m number two or at most, number three,” he said.
Perhaps the most emotional part of the interview centred on his strained relationship with Napoli supporters. Osimhen apologised to fans for his silence during the controversy that followed a TikTok video posted by the club mocking a missed penalty. “After Napoli posted that video on TikTok, something definitely broke,” he said, revealing that some fans had even visited his home seeking explanations.
“Every footballer can miss a penalty, and everyone can be mocked for it. Napoli did this only to me, and with implications of a certain kind,” he said, referencing the racist abuse that followed. “I was the victim of racist insults and made my decision I wanted to leave.” He disclosed that he deleted photos of himself in Napoli colours from Instagram, a move he said was later weaponised against him.
Yet amid the tension, Osimhen left a poignant note that underscored his complicated bond with the city. “For me, my daughter is more Neapolitan than Nigerian,” he said a reminder that beyond transfers and trophies, football careers are also deeply personal journeys.
