Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who has taken Serie A by storm with Napoli, recently found himself at the center of a conversation with football icon José Mourinho. In his recent comments, Mourinho shared both admiration for Osimhen’s talent and reservations about his on-pitch behavior.
Mourinho’s High Praise for Osimhen
During a conversation after Roma played Napoli, Mourinho acknowledged the immense talent of Victor Osimhen. He stated:
> “You are one of the two best African players, it’s you and [Mohamed] Salah.”
This compliment reflects how highly Mourinho rates Osimhen, placing him alongside Mohamed Salah, who is regarded as one of Africa’s finest exports in modern football. Osimhen’s performances for Napoli, particularly his goal-scoring exploits, have placed him in the upper echelon of African footballers.
Criticism of Osimhen’s On-Field Behavior
Despite the praise, Mourinho was quick to point out an aspect of Osimhen’s play that he found troubling—his tendency to dive. Comparing Osimhen’s antics to African football greats, Mourinho remarked:
> “He dives too much. You look to the past [of African football], Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, George Weah… You can not behave like this.”
Mourinho clearly believes that Osimhen could learn from the more physical and upright approach of players like Drogba, Eto’o, and Weah, who dominated the game without falling easily on the pitch.
A Talent Under Scrutiny
While Mourinho has recognized Osimhen’s undeniable talent and stature in African football, his critique serves as a reminder that success in football also involves maintaining professionalism and integrity on the pitch. The Nigerian forward will undoubtedly continue to shine, but it will be interesting to see if he adjusts his game following this public critique.
Summary Points:
– Mourinho: Osimhen among Africa’s top two footballers.
– Criticizes Osimhen for diving too often during matches.
– Compares Osimhen to legends like Drogba and Eto’o.