Victor Osimhen’s Power Play: Rejecting Millions for Dignity

⚽ The Saga That Hit Differently

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As a proud Manchester United fan, I’ve seen transfer sagas come and go. Some exciting, some frustrating. But what’s happening with Victor Osimhen isn’t just another summer headline. It hits different. Maybe it’s because I’m Nigerian. Maybe it’s because I see through the headlines. Or maybe it’s because I don’t usually pick sides in heated debates like Messi vs Ronaldo, but this one, I’m deeply concerned.

And let me ask you, the reader:
If you were Osimhen, would you have taken the Saudi money?
Do you think Napoli deserves anything from his next move?
These aren’t just football questions, they’re questions about loyalty, dignity, and power.

🔥 From Hero to Humiliation

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Victor Osimhen, my number 9, had one of the most shocking seasons of any African footballer at Napoli then. In 2022/23, he amazed me as he took Napoli to their first Serie A title in over 30 years with his ability to terrorise defences of any kind. Napoli fans gave me joy each time they honoured him. Including when the happy fans chanted his name...,Victooooorrrr..... Osimhen nnnn.... It was really a beautiful thing to watch. But football can be so unkind not just in the field but cases like this Osimhen's own. I remember this happened to Messi while at PSG so it's a normal thing in football. But you need grace to let it go. Just that in life people are too quick to forget what a person did best and emphasize on the only, just one that one did bad, it can tempt one to committing suicide if one does not have shock absorbers. It happens everytime and it happened to me. What makes it different in football is the fan aspect because it will annoy you so much. Could it be that Osimhen was too good that they even forgot that he was just a HUMAN NOT GOD? because this was my thought. Osimhen was in pain and this affected me as well ❤️‍🩹

In 2023, things that probably,no one saw it coming really happened. Napoli’s own TikTok page posted a video mocking Osimhen for missing a penalty. Osimhen himself was not happy and did not take it lightly either. His agent spoke out, even hinted at legal action. But at that point, the damage had been done. That was really a disrespect and dishonour to Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian number 9. I really felt it because Osimhen is one who does his things out of passion and always eager to win because even himself said that he hates losing. But Napoli at that moment, instead of making him to feel at home, even made him to really feel the effect of his team losing.

🔒 The €130M Trap

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Since then, their relationship has never fully healed, I felt it as well. And Napoli, instead of apologizing properly, placed a huge €120–130 million release clause on him, effectively locking him in and clubs that were interested in him then, could not afford his release clause. It was as if I was the one being locked because of the strong bond between myself and Osimhen, though we never met.

Now, in 2025, Osimhen is doing what many footballers still don’t dare to do. He’s playing the long game. He refused the chance to extend his contract beyond 2026, at first I was curious. The moment I realised the reason for his actions, my curiosity level dropped. That means he can leave for free by the end of June 2026, and Napoli won’t get a dime. That’s massive. It puts him in control, not the club.💪😂

🤝 When Naija Met Napoli

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Napoli did something that made them lose my respect. I started supporting and became a fan of Napoli because of Osimhen until Napoli turned him down. Nigerians became Italians and Italians became Nigerians. We loved ourselves and there was mutual respect between us. Man, I still remember when Victor Osimhen first landed in Napoli. It wasn’t just another transfer. It was a transfer that I took personal. I don’t even support Napoli, not in a serious way before then. I was completely supporting Manchester United. But the moment Osimhen wore that Napoli shirt, I was locked in. No lie, I felt like one of our own had just moved into enemy territory, and we had to back him up.

I remember scrolling through my phone that day, refreshing every feed just to see the pictures. The smile on his face. That number 9 shirt. I don’t even know why, but it made me proud like say na my blood brother just made it big in Europe. You know that kind of pride that isn’t loud, but deep? That was exactly how I felt.

My anticipation for his first match was crazy. I didn’t even care about Serie A like that then, but I found myself waiting for the kickoff like it was a Champions League final. 😂 I streamed it with shaky network just to ensure I watch him on the pitch. I was so curious until he was brought in towards the mid-time of the 2nd half of their game against Parma. The way he moved, the hunger, the drive... all where indications that my guy had something to prove to Italy, to Nigeria, even to himself.

That first goal he scored? Bro, I almost screamed the roof off. Though he could not score in his first debut but he created beautiful chances and even kicked shots that struck the wood work. He later scored against Atalanta in their next game. Bro was so good 😊

From that day, Napoli wasn’t just a club in Italy anymore. It became ours. Nigerians started posting in Italian. Napoli fans were commenting in Pidgin. It was love, serious one. I even started defending Napoli in football banter,😂💪something I never imagined I’d do. But it was all because of Osimhen. That’s how much he carried us along emotionally. Wherever Osimhen went to, I was with him. I became a Galatasaray fan because of him. The Turkish became our brothers and it was really an exciting moment we shared throughout Osimhen's stay in their country. But I can't still imagine what really came over Napoli to have made such a mistake.

💰 The Saudi Deal That Didn’t Happen

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The Saudi deal failed to occur twice😃 but I feel that all just happened now.😀 The first Saudi deal came up during last summer transfer window. But I will not be referring to that very Saudi deal but the one that just happened recently.
Not too long ago, Al Hilal came up offering €50 million per year. More than most players can ever dream of, yet he turned it down, not because he doesn’t like money (who doesn’t?), but because that deal wasn’t for him. I did not really feel bad about it because he himself had pronounced that his dream is to play in Europe and create records perhaps if he can't break it. Don't forget that I mentioned the fact that he is a very passionate player who is not just interested in the money but the game itself and I love that about him. I felt like Napoli trying to use him and cash out and send him somewhere he didn’t truly want to go.

That’s not just resistance, I call that a strategy and self-worth. That’s Osimhen saying:
"You disrespected me. Now you don't get to decide my future!"

And Naija fans? We felt that. In viewing centers, group chats, and local match banter sessions, I kept hearing the same thing:
"Make he no rush, Napoli wan use am shine again!"

🧠 Playing the Long Game Like a Pro

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What Osimhen is doing isn’t entirely new to me. But let’s be real, it still takes serious guts to do what he did. I see that more players these days are beginning to figuring out how to shift the balance of power in football. And honestly, it’s long overdue. It's obvious to me that they’re getting smart about things, letting their contracts wind down, negotiating tricky release clauses, fighting for control of their image rights, and even using fan perception to their advantage.

It’s no longer just about what clubs want; it’s about what the players want too.

🧊 Gyokeres is doing it too

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Mbappé, who happens to be my favourite too pulled it off at PSG including King Messi, and now we're re seeing even players outside that elite spotlight catching on. I take Victor Gyökeres, the Swedish striker doing serious damage at Sporting CP, for example — he’s not posted across headlines every week, but the guy’s been sharp, focused, and intentional with his choices and I appreciate that. He knows what he’s worth and isn’t about to jump at the first club waving cash.

That’s not how you build a career with purpose.
It’s bigger than just being a baller I guess.
Guys like Osimhen and Gyokeres are rewriting the rules, standing their ground, and shaping their own futures. Maybe you never knew that his aggressiveness (Osimhen) makes him more unique to me. I don't know for you, but to me,when love leads, what seems negative about a person becomes what you love about him. Sergio Ramos, Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest, I loved them for their stubbornness because this was their signature and they made football interesting in their own ways. If everyone were like Messi, perhaps I wouldn't have loved football. Maybe if everyone were like Ronaldo, I don't think football would grow this interesting too.
The significance of my statement is that everyone has their unique identity in football and their identity is what makes football ⚽

♟️♟️The board is set! Osimhen’s next move? Not even Napoli can predict it

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No More Wrong Moves for my legend, the last emotional damage was enough for him including myself and his fan base all over the world 🌎
And let’s not act like top clubs aren’t watching. Manchester United,my very own club is interested. So are Chelsea and Liverpool. There’s even some buzz about a swap with Darwin Núñez. But this time, Osimhen is in no rush I guess. After everything he’s been through, he’s not leaving one messy situation just to end up in another, we don't wish him that...God forbid!. He wants a team with vision, respect, and that Champions League ambition and not just a new jersey and a fat paycheck.

If the right deal doesn’t come through this summer, I think he’ll wait. He will keep mute until that contract runs out by 2026, then he leaves on a free, and cash in big with a juicy signing bonus but this time, on his terms. That would be a big win for Osimhen my gee.
And Napoli? They’ll get nothing.💪😂

😏 The Sweetest Revenge Is Silent

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That’s the kind of quiet revenge you don’t post about, you just live it 😂
After all, being a Nigerian is being wise 😋

🫡 From a Man United Fan With Love

Me, I don’t usually jump into all those football hot takes online — Ronaldo vs Messi, Premier League vs La Liga, I just watch and enjoy especially when my team plays. But this Osimhen situation? It hits different. Because of Osimhen's effect, for a while, I found myself watching his matches more than the usual GOAT battles.

The energy, the hunger, the pride he plays with all grabbed my attention in a way few players have. As a Man United fan, I can’t lie, I respect what he’s doing. He’s not just playing football. He’s setting an example, especially for African players. Giving a moral lesson that your value isn't just what someone is willing to pay today. Legacy, pride, and self-worth is really the bigger win and I believe this is true.

📢 Your Turn — What Would You Do?

He’s also reminding big clubs that they can’t treat players like disposable tools and expect them to stay loyal. Seriously, I was really worried when my star boy, Osimhen was turned down. I felt his pains and agony and I wish his transfer this time does not go wrong.

So here’s my question to you again:
If you were Osimhen, would you have taken the money and moved to Saudi?
Or would you stay firm like he did?