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.”
WHY LORENZO PELLEGRINI’S FUTURE AT ROMA HANGS IN THE BALANCE THIS SUMMER SEASON
AS Roma director Frederic Massara gives an update on Lorenzo Pellegrini’s expiring contract. Is a Juventus move on the cards for him?
Lorenzo Pellegrini recently spoke about his strong connection with Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, while Roma’s director Frederic Massara hinted that extending the midfielder’s contract remains a possibility.
Pellegrini’s deal with Roma is set to expire this June, alongside contracts for Paulo Dybala, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Zeki Celik.
Regarding updates on contract extensions through 2026, Massara mentioned during the Inside The Sport 2026 event, as reported by Calciomercato.com, that discussions are ongoing with all four players and their agents. He noted the club has been addressing these matters in recent weeks and will evaluate if there is mutual interest and suitable conditions to continue working together. Essentially, nothing is decided yet.
This season at the Stadio Olimpico, Pellegrini has experienced some highs and lows but still managed to appear in 33 matches across all competitions, contributing seven goals and four assists.
Roma remain contenders for a Champions League spot but currently sit five points behind Juventus, who occupy fourth place.
Pellegrini expressed his wish for a top-four finish with Roma, emphasising that the focus has been on the team’s own performance rather than the standings. He acknowledged the current situation isn’t entirely within their control, so the best course is to concentrate on winning the remaining games and see how things unfold.
The well-publicised clash between Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini seems to have further energised Roma’s coach, according to Pellegrini. He described Spalletti as even more motivated heading into the final stretch, stressing the importance of being in peak form on the pitch to tackle upcoming challenges.
There have been rumours linking Pellegrini with Juventus as they seek to strengthen their midfield options. The Italian international established a strong rapport with Spalletti during the coach’s second tenure at Roma.
Pellegrini wrapped up by reaffirming his positive relationship with Spalletti, recalling the great moments they shared and his respect not only for the coach’s tactical abilities but also for his character beyond the field.
MARCO PALESTRA REFUSES TO LET INTER RUMORS DISTRACT FROM CAGLIARI’S RELEGATION BATTLE
Marco Palestra addresses Inter Milan rumours. Read why the Atalanta loanee is prioritising Cagliari's safety.
Marco Palestra isn’t shutting the door on a move to Inter this summer, but right now, his mind’s on one thing: saving Cagliari’s spot in Serie A. “We’ll see in the summer,” he said.
This season’s been a bit of a whirlwind for him. At just 21, he’s made a serious name for himself, breaking through during his loan at Cagliari and earning his first runs with Italy’s national team. Sure, the World Cup play-off loss in Bosnia still stings for everyone, but it hasn’t stopped the buzz around Palestra’s future.
He’s still under contract at Atalanta until 2029, but after his performances, clubs have started circling, especially Inter, who look set to take the league. At an event in Coverciano on Monday, reporters pressed him about his plans. Palestra kept it close to the chest, just saying it’s flattering to hear big clubs are interested, and he’ll figure it out in the summer.
“I honestly didn’t imagine this at the start of the season,” Palestra said. “I was just trying to focus day by day, just trying to get better and not thinking too far ahead.” He still sees room to grow, which makes sense given his age. “Everyone at 21 has a lot to learn. I need to improve in everything, really. I’ve had two seasons now in Serie A, and there’s always more to pick up from my teammates and coach.”
The Inter rumours keep swirling, but when you ask him about it, his answer’s steady: it’s about Cagliari right now. “I’m only thinking about Cagliari. Safety comes first. The rumours are flattering, sure, but we’ll handle all that later.” He echoed it again: “I’m 100% focused on Cagliari. They deserve that. I’ll talk things through with my agents when the season’s done, but I don’t want any distractions right now.”
The sting of Italy missing the World Cup again is still fresh for him. “The loss in Bosnia was a heavy blow for all of us. The days after weren’t easy. But we have to regroup and come back stronger. This group is special, and we’ll help each other recover and improve.”
As for how he handled the disappointment? “It was tough, especially at first. I just stayed home, replaying what went wrong over and over. But I had to snap out of it for Cagliari’s sake. Now, staying up in Serie A is all that matters.”
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