- Napoli’s Victor Osimhen aims for his 65th goal, leading the charge against Real Madrid in the Champions League with recent impressive form
- Osimhen also seeks to equal Ahmed Musa’s record of six Champions League goals as Napoli faces Real Madrid with determination
Napoli’s prolific striker, Victor Osimhen, is setting his sights on a milestone 65th goal as he prepares to lead the charge against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League showdown at the Diego Maradona stadium. In recent weeks, Osimhen has displayed scintillating form, netting crucial goals in Serie A matches against Udinese and Lecce, effectively putting his TikTok dispute with the club behind him. The Nigerian sensation is now determined to make his mark against Los Blancos, a team Napoli has encountered on four previous occasions in the competition.
Osimhen’s journey with Napoli has seen him amass an impressive 64 goals and 15 assists across 109 appearances in various competitions since his record-breaking €70 million move from Lille three years ago. Such a transfer fee marked an African record at the time. However, Napoli’s encounters with Real Madrid have proven challenging, with the Italian side winning just once in their history, drawing only once during the 1987/88 first-round, second-leg tie in Naples.
The 24-year-old striker also has his eyes on the Champions League prize, aiming to equal Ahmed Musa’s record of six goals in the competition. With 10 goals, Obafemi Martins currently leads the pack among Nigerian top scorers in the Champions League, including qualifiers. Julius Aghahowa, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Ikpeba, and Ayegbeni Yakubu are tied for second place, each boasting seven goals.
As the anticipation for the clash builds, Napoli’s captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, has issued a rallying cry to his team. In a press conference ahead of the Champions League showdown, he emphasized the unchanging nature of Victor Osimhen’s commitment to the team despite recent speculations.
Di Lorenzo stated;
It is a game we must play; this competition is Real Madrid’s home. They’ve won the trophy many times, but we are ready. We play at home, so the stadium will be full, and we’ll do our best to cause trouble for them.
He continued;
We know we face a strong side, but we are ready. It will be thrilling. Nothing has changed for us. Osimhen’s relationships inside the dressing room, his behaviour, and his desire to give the best for this team have not changed. He is always available for his teammates, as you saw in the game against Lecce. To us, he is the same Osimhen. A great player who gives his best and will continue doing the same tomorrow.
Despite Di Lorenzo’s reassurances, Italian reports speculate about Osimhen’s Napoli future. This uncertainty comes in the wake of a cryptic Instagram message posted by the striker, in which he made no direct mention of the club or his future at the Stadio Maradona. Osimhen’s current contract is set to expire in June 2025, and his agent has yet to reach an agreement with the Partenopei despite months of negotiations.
As Napoli braces for a titanic clash against Real Madrid, the focus remains on Victor Osimhen’s pursuit of his 65th goal, with fans and pundits alike eagerly awaiting the outcome of this high-stakes encounter. Will Osimhen add to his impressive tally, or will Real Madrid be an insurmountable obstacle on his path to glory? Only time will tell as the UEFA Champions League drama unfolds on the hallowed turf of the Diego Maradona stadium.
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