Napoli striker Victor Osimhen says he and his teammates are giving their all to win the Scudetto and Champions League this season. The Nigerian striker is leading the race for the Capocannoniere with the Partenopei 15 points clear at the top of Serie A, and with one foot into the Quarter finals of the Champions League. Speaking with Corriere della Sera, the 24-year-old shared his thoughts on the teams amazing form, the birth of his daugther and why ‘every player’ wants to feature in the Premier League at some point:
Will you dedicate Napoli’s Scudetto to your daughter?
“She is my little girl, a unique emotion. She is the light of my life, the little woman to whom I can teach the value of love, respect for others, rich or poor, black or white. Hailey will rejoice with me and with all the fans, she like us deserves to see Napoli cross the finish line’.
….Which could even be double: Scudetto and Champions League. Do you think about it among yourselves?
“It’s March and there is still time ahead. But, yes, I want everything, we want everything. We are giving our lives to achieve this success. We deserve it, we are sacrificing everything to achieve it. We are almost there, but woe betide us if we get distracted just now. Our mentality is always the same, in Italy and in Europe: impose ourselves and win.”
Your secret? All in all, you are a young team that was revolutionised last summer.
“We look after each other at all times. Each one gives the other a boost, and if someone is in trouble we are ready to give them a hand. There is solidarity, which is difficult to explain to those who do not experience it. Everyone’s conviction serves the community of players. And when you believe, you feel strong, when you are strong you win. Then there is the coach who is the brains of the team. You know something I think about? If I were to be a coach one day, I would like to be like him.”
What is he like?
“Off the pitch, a dad: ready to listen and to suggest advice on anything. In training Spalletti is very strict, rigorous. He even gets angry. Especially with those who don’t give 100 per cent.”
And that happens with you?
“(laugh, ed) Of course. It has happened in the past and will probably happen again. There’s one thing that drives him mad: when he sees that one doesn’t give as much as he can. The first one to give his best is him, he demands the same of us.”
Do you feel strong?
“Of course my head is toiugh! If I didn’t have it like that and wasn’t convinced I would have quit. Some people said in the past that I would never make my fortune in football. But here I am, proving with facts that you can. If you want to, you can. No one has ever chosen for me, even at Napoli I came because I decided to.”
And in the beginning it didn’t exactly go well: injuries, the Covid, the controversy over some posts on social media. The parties in Nigeria…
“Yes indeed I had a few, but I didn’t care too much about people and what they said even before I arrived. Maybe every negative thing served as an extra stimulus. I am a believer and God has tested me. In difficult times, the club has always supported me. Today I am happy but not satisfied. More can be done. For Naples and its people.”
What was the moment when you said to each other: the Scudetto is possible?
“Before we even started winning. And there is a preserved photo that testifies to that moment. It was summer and after a fairly tough training session I was talking to Anguissa. I said to him: ‘Frank, you know our team is strong and we can really try to win the Scudetto’. He was sceptical and I convinced him. Spalletti came up to us and asked what we were talking about. I told him, he looked at me and said: if your teammates are convinced, as you are, yes we can try. That’s how our beautiful story was born, made up of games, of training, of men who don’t spare themselves. Made of leaders.”
What do you mean?
“We are all a bit of leaders, then there are those who speak more to the team and those who speak less. But everyone takes their share of responsibility.”
The strongest opponent in Italy?
“We respect everyone, but we have convinced ourselves that we are the strongest. And if it happens…. you’ll see.”
What?
‘” surprise, that’s all I’m saying.”
Tell us instead if the Premier League tempts you?
“I think it’s an ambition for all players. And who knows, one day…. Right now, I assure you, the thought doesn’t even cross my mind. It would distract me from a beautiful season. Only Napoli. Full stop.”
Your goals are sometimes surprising, unconventional. Instinct, using your head, luck or just technique?
“Head. On the pitch I watch everything. I run and I watch. You have to decide in a second if you don’t want to give the defender time. Let’s say I’m quick of thought!”.
With Kvara, you have a perfect understanding.
“Because there was empathy from the first moment. He is very strong, but also a golden guy. That counts for me.
And if you hadn’t been a footballer?
“I would have been a doctor, like my father wanted.
More study and less money!
“The money was for my family: seven of us lived in one room! With the first money I bought a house.”
Your Idol?
“Drogba.”
Who is Osimhen in private?
“Just an ordinary guy, who does what he feels, takes criticism and compliments. I would go out more with my little girl, but between autographs and photos I would take time away from her. She comes before me. Before everything.”
