VICTOR OSIMHEN TELLS ALL: STRIKER REVEALS SPALLETTI "FATHER FIGURE" BOND IN NEW PLAYER’S TRIBUNE ESSAY
Victor Osimhen reveals his raw journey! Discover why he chose Galatasaray and how Spalletti saved his career at Napoli.
Victor Osimhen, now playing for Galatasaray, opened up about his life and football journey in a piece for The Player’s Tribune. He talked about how Luciano Spalletti became “like a father” to him during his early days at Napoli, right after he left Lille, a really tough period in his life.
In his story, “A Prayer From the Gutter,” he goes all the way back to his childhood in Nigeria. He played barefoot in the streets, hustled to help support his family, and faced a crushing rejection before finally catching his big break. It’s a raw, emotional read, and you can tell how much his time in Naples meant to him.
Osimhen described how, while he was at Lille, transfer talks kept him from going home to be with his dying father at the start of the COVID pandemic. That experience nearly made him quit football for good. “I was so disgusted by how the club ran things,” he said, “I actually thought about never playing football again.”
“When I left Lille, I was lost,” Osimhen admitted. “When I came to Napoli, I was found. I owe everything to the city, the fans, and my teammates. They turned my life around.”
He remembers sitting down with Spalletti right after arriving. “I told him, ‘I am not well. I am very angry right now. Very sad. My head is not straight.’” Spalletti didn’t just listen; he pushed Osimhen hard. “He was like a father to me. If I messed up, he’d let me know. But he believed in me, deep down. He thought I could be the best in the world.”
The work ethic at Napoli was intense. Osimhen describes it almost like military life. “We couldn’t even complain,” he said, “because Spalletti was there all the time. The man actually slept in his office for five months. He had a wife at home, but he stayed with us, even sleeping on a little army cot.”
And before big games, Spalletti would remind the players just what was at stake. “He’d say, ‘If you win the title, people will talk about me for a few years. But you? They’ll remember you until you’re old men.’”
Looking back, Osimhen sums up his Napoli experience in a single line: “Winning any title is special. But winning a Scudetto for Napoli after 33 years? That’s real history. That’s why I choose the teams I choose.”
So why leave Napoli, and why pick Galatasaray? Osimhen hears the question all the time. “So many people told me not to go to Turkey. They called me crazy. Even a former agent said, ‘Don’t do it. It’s not smart.’ But I follow my heart. After the emotion of Napoli, I couldn’t just pick any club. That would be boring. I wanted a club with top-level passion. Galatasaray fits that. These are people who live and breathe football, just like I do.”
NAPOLI AND INTER MILAN LAUNCH BIDDING WAR FOR COMO STAR MAXIMO PERRONE
Maximo Perrone is the target of a €50m bidding war between Napoli and Inter after leading Como to fourth in Serie A.
Maximo Perrone has emerged as a standout performer this season for Como, attracting considerable attention from top clubs. Como, having established themselves among Italy’s football elite and eyeing a spot in the Champions League, rely heavily on Perrone’s creativity and influence. Once a lesser-known figure, the former Manchester City midfielder has become a central figure in Fabregas’s team, and now several major clubs are lining up for his signature. This summer promises a competitive battle, with Inter and Napoli showing serious interest. But Como, bolstered by their impending European campaign, is unlikely to let him go without a fight.
Looking closer at the interest from Italy’s giants, journalist Matteo Moretto recently shared insights on YouTube, highlighting Inter and Napoli as the two main contenders. Inter have praised Perrone and clearly rate him, although they haven’t yet approached his representatives directly. Napoli, on the other hand, seems more proactive. They have monitored Perrone for some time and view him as a realistic addition, especially following a specific request from coach Conte. Conte, who has indicated his intention to stay with Napoli but will discuss plans at season’s end, sees Perrone as a key piece, particularly if Stanislav Lobotka departs next summer. Even if Lobotka stays, Perrone’s arrival remains a possibility.
Despite growing interest, Como holds the cards here. They are financially stable and preparing to embark on their first European adventure, whether that’s in the Champions League or the Europa League is still unclear. After taking Perrone on loan from Manchester City, Como acquired his rights last summer, though City retained 30 per cent of any future resale. This project around Lake Como is in its early stages, making the idea of selling such a vital player complicated. The club’s willingness to sell, the price set, and the offers they receive will all shape what happens next.
Perrone, under contract until 2029, is in the best form of his young career. At 23, he’s featured in 31 games this season, contributing two goals and four assists, consistently anchoring the midfield in Fabregas’s tactical setup, a system the Argentine shapes with deliberate control. It’s this partnership that the transfer market will undoubtedly try to disrupt in the coming months.
CESC FABREGAS BLASTS GASPERINI OVER HANDSHAKE SNUB FOLLOWING COMO’S VICTORY OVER ROMA
Cesc Fabregas blasts Gian Piero Gasperini for refusing a handshake after Como defeated Roma 2-1 to reach fourth place.
This past weekend saw a tense moment between Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder turned Como manager, and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Como’s 2-1 win over Roma. Fabregas, who took charge of Como in July 2024 and has quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s promising young managers, has led the team to fourth place in Serie A, pushing them toward a surprising shot at Champions League qualification, a milestone in the club’s history.
The victory itself was key for Como’s ambitions, but the post-match atmosphere was anything but smooth. Fabregas shared his frustration about Gasperini refusing to shake his hand at the final whistle. For Fabregas, the handshake is a simple but important gesture of respect and sportsmanship, regardless of emotions or results. He said, “Whether I’m angry, sent off, or feel the referee has wronged me, I always go to shake my opponent’s hand after the match." It’s about respect, and I was disappointed by what happened. Even when you lose, you always offer that hand.”
Fabregas explained that while he understands different cultures approach these things differently, for him, once the game is over, competition ends, and respect should remain. Gasperini, known for his stints with Inter Milan and Atalanta, didn’t shy away from explaining his side. The 68-year-old was critical of Como’s conduct both on and off the pitch, saying, “Como is a strong team, but I don’t respect their behaviour on the pitch or on the bench.”
Part of the tension seemed to spark after Roma’s defender Wesley, got sent off just after the 60-minute mark, receiving a second yellow card. Gasperini implied that Fabregas and his staff had influenced the referee’s decision by pushing claims of simulation. This disagreement added fuel to the post-match exchange, highlighting the competitive edge and complex dynamics between these two managers as they vie for top spots in Serie A.
