Nigeria FA Capo Tips Osimhen To Surpass Maradona At Napoli
Nigeria’s FA President Amaju Pinnick has tipped Victor Osimhen to make a bigger impact at Napoli than Diego Maradona did should he complete a move to the Italian side.
Osimhen has been linked with a €60m transfer to the Stadio San Paolo from Ligue 1 side Lille after just a season in France.
The 21-year-old has been immense in his first season in France after joining Lille from Belgium outfit Charleroi, making 38 appearances in all competitions for Christophe Galtier’s men and scoring 18 goals.
Argentina great Maradona is one of Napoli’s best ever players, having won two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup between 1984 and 1991 but Pinnick believes Osimhen is well equipped to surpass the 1986 World Cup winner.
"I think Victor Osimhen is an excellent signing for Napoli," Pinnick told Radio Kiss Kiss. "I've followed them from when they had Diego Armando Maradona. Naples is a proud city and also in football terms.
"Osimhen's a source of pride of African football. He's someone who is disciplined but focused on objectives, and if he wants something, he knows how to get it.
"He made the right decision for his career. I already believe he’ll receive the right support from the club and its fans. Napoli are the right club for him to achieve important results, and Osimhen will always give his best.
"I'll say it now: Victor will do everything possible to match and even break the records set by a legend like Maradona."
"I talked to Victor just a few minutes ago: he's very excited about his new experience and new club," he added. "Napoli are a big name in world football. It'll be a new challenge for him and he told me: 'President, I'll make Naples proud'.
"If he gets the right support, I guarantee he'll stick to his word and make you all proud. Believe in him and he'll help the team achieve their objectives.
"I'll come to Naples next season to watch some of their games. Osimhen is young and could stay at Napoli for a long time.
"As I already said, he'll be playing for a great team and his quality justifies the investment made by Napoli, who believe in Victor's huge potential."
Osimhen won the golden boot at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 FIFA World Cup and has been capped nine times by the Nigeria national team, scoring four goals.
