Napoli, the Italian Serie A team that captivated Europe last season, is falling apart this season.
After a dominant performance last season, Napoli won their first league title in 33 years and reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) for the first time. Napoli had high expectations for this season as well. They retained most of their main players, except for Kim Min-jae.
However, the team has faltered early in the season. Napoli is currently in fifth place in the league. There’s a reason why they’re not doing well.
At the center of Napoli’s decline is their star striker, Victor Osimhen. Osimhen was the number one player in Napoli’s title run last season, leading the league in goals with 26. He was Napoli’s biggest star, emerging as one of the best strikers in Europe.
The fifth round match against Bologna on April 25 was the spark. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Osimhen was blamed for the draw. Osimhen was the penalty kicker that day, and he missed. In the end, Napoli didn’t win.
Napoli then mocked Osimhen by posting a video of him missing the penalty on their official account, comparing him to a coconut and sparking a racist controversy.
In response, Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda said, “We do not accept the video posted on Napoli’s official account. We will take legal action to protect him.”
He also showed his frustration with the coach by throwing his clothes in anger while being substituted in Bologna.
And then there was the video. In a video that went viral on social media, Osimhen was seen ignoring his teammates as they entered the team hotel ahead of the sixth round match against Udinese. Diego Demi in particular asked for a high-five, but he turned away and continued on his way. The video was meant to mock him.바카라사이트
There have been rumors of a feud with the club, a feud with the coach, and a feud with his teammates.
On the 28th, Napoli turned things around with a 4-1 win over Udinese. Osimhen also scored a goal in the win.
However, the feud is far from over. Local Italian media reported that “Osimen is ready to go to war with Napoli,” adding fuel to the fire.
As this is happening, Saudi Arabia is laughing behind the scenes. The Saudis want Osimhen, and they believe that the more he feuds with the club, the better their chances of landing him in Saudi Arabia.
As the UK’s Daily Mail put it, “The longer the Osimhen saga continues, the more the Saudis will prepare to go after him again. Osimhen received a number of offers in the transfer market last summer but chose to stay. He is yet to be rewarded for his loyalty.”