Victor Osimhen Reveals Racist TikTok Post Forced His Napoli Exit
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about the exact moment he knew his time at Napoli was over, pointing to a controversial social media post by the Italian club that left him feeling racially targeted and betrayed. Despite playing a pivotal role in Napoli's historic 2022/23 Serie A triumph, where he emerged as the league's top scorer, Osimhen says the relationship with the club began to unravel in September 2023.
The Turning Point: A Controversial TikTok Video
Osimhen revealed that Napoli posted a TikTok video mocking him after he missed a penalty against Bologna, a move that sparked widespread outrage in the football community. The 27-year-old Nigerian forward believes the post went beyond typical football banter and crossed into racial undertones, leaving him feeling singled out and humiliated by his own employers.
"After Napoli posted that video on TikTok, something definitely broke," Osimhen told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Anyone can miss a penalty, anyone can be mocked for it. Napoli only did it to me, and with certain innuendos, too. I was the victim of racist insults, and I made my decision."
The striker added that he wanted to leave immediately after the incident, deleting photos of himself in a Napoli shirt from his Instagram account. He claims the club then seized the opportunity to turn fans against him, despite his deep connection to Naples, noting that his daughter feels more Neapolitan than Nigerian.
Conte's Arrival Could Not Salvage the Situation
When Antonio Conte arrived at Napoli in the summer of 2024, there was hope that Osimhen could be convinced to stay and lead a new project at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. According to reports, Conte reportedly wanted the Super Eagles striker to remain and be central to his plans.
However, by that time, Osimhen had already made up his mind. His relationship with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis had deteriorated significantly, and trust between player and club had all but vanished. Although Osimhen signed a contract extension in December 2023, he has now revealed it was a strategic decision rather than a commitment to stay.
The deal was agreed mainly to protect Napoli's financial interests and keep his market value high, as both sides knew a separation was inevitable. Napoli's handling of the viral video and the subsequent fallout only strengthened Osimhen's resolve to seek a fresh start away from Italy.
Fresh Start at Galatasaray and Future Uncertainty
Osimhen eventually left Napoli in 2024, initially joining Turkish giants Galatasaray on loan. The move proved to be the reset he needed, with the Nigerian striker quickly rediscovering his form in Turkey. He helped the Istanbul club win both the Turkish Super Lig and the Turkish Cup in his debut season, convincing Galatasaray to complete a permanent transfer last summer.
This move ended his Napoli chapter for good and allowed him to rebuild his career in a more supportive environment. However, fresh uncertainty now surrounds Osimhen's future at Galatasaray. Comments from club legend Hasan Sas suggest the Nigerian striker could be on his way out as early as this summer if a top club makes a decisive move.
Sas made it clear he doubts Galatasaray can keep hold of Osimhen, indicating that the striker's impressive performances have attracted attention from bigger European clubs. This development adds another layer to Osimhen's ongoing career journey, which has been marked by both triumph and controversy.
