Victor Osimhen, a striker for Napoli, expressed his frustration and anger towards the club after they shared a TikTok video mocking his missed penalty during a recent match against Bologna. The video overlaid Osimhen’s plea for a penalty with a sped-up voice and then showed his subsequent penalty miss. The post was later taken down, but it deeply upset Osimhen.
In addition to the social media incident, Osimhen was involved in a confrontation with Napoli coach Rudi Garcia after being substituted in the final minutes of the Bologna game, which ended in a draw. Napoli’s performance in the match and the overall standing in Serie A, trailing seven points behind the leaders Inter, added to the disappointment.
The Nigerian striker, who had garnered interest from major English clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea during the summer, responded to Napoli’s actions by deleting all images related to the Serie A club from his official Instagram account. Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, strongly criticized Napoli’s TikTok post and even threatened legal action against the club, emphasizing the harm caused to the player.
Calenda condemned the TikTok video, calling it deeply hurtful to Osimhen. He expressed concerns about how Osimhen had been treated over the past few months, referring to media trials and misinformation. Calenda made it clear that they were considering legal action to protect Osimhen’s interests and reputation.
As Napoli prepared for their upcoming match against Udinese, uncertainty loomed regarding Osimhen’s participation. Despite his remarkable performance last season, where he scored 26 goals in Serie A, the recent incidents and tensions with the club left his involvement in the match up in the air. The situation highlighted the delicate relationship between players and their clubs, showcasing the potential impact of social media in the world of professional football.
