Friday was a momentous day for Napoli and their star Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as he made his 100th appearance in Serie A for last year's champions.
It's been an impressive milestone that showcases his consistency and dedication to the sport.
Osimhen joined a very exclusive club of footballers who have scored more than 60 goals in their first 100 games of playing in the Italian top flight.
Osimhen joining Serie A elite
Having played in his 100th game on Friday, Osimhen‘s 61 goals see him join a legendary list of centurions that includes names like Cristiano Ronaldo (81 goals), Gonzalo Higuain (65 goals), Andriy Shevchenko (64 goals), Vincenzo Montella (64 goals) and David Trezeguet (63 goals).
Osimhen's talent on the field is undeniable, and he has been the driving force behind Napoli's success since last season when he helped them to the title and has been quite impressive so far this season.
With each goal he scores, the team's chances of achieving their goal of registering three consecutive wins for the first time this season are even brighter ahead of the game against Torino.
The Victor Osimhen rave in Naples
Vivtor Osimhen is a force to be reckoned with – a player who possesses an unmatched determination and an unwavering spirit with his remarkable journey so far serving as an inspiration to many.
The Nigerian had an eventful week following his game against Juventus last week, where he managed to help secure a draw in the match with a penalty won in the 86th minute.
Despite a moment of anxiety due to tiredness, he resumed his usual recovery routine of exercising the next day – a testament to his dedication and work ethic.
The Nigerian's style of play is often described as a blend of positive restlessness, which was evident in the penalty he created against Juventus. However, the penalty was missed but tucked in by a Giacomo Raspadori rebound.
Osimhen is known for his generosity and resilience on the field, but he is also one of the players exposed to too many risks.
Out of 142 championship matches since joining the team in the 2020-2021 season, he has only featured in 100 games due to commitments with the Super Eagles of Nigeria and injuries. It simply means that the current African Footballer of the Year has missed a massive 42 league matches in his three and a half years with the Partenopei.
Back in 2021, in one of the games against Inter Milan, he suffered a severe injury after colliding with Milan Skriniar, which he describes as almost fatal.
“It was almost a fatal injury, I thank God that I'm still alive,” Victor Osimhen once said.
Despite these challenges, that has seen the 25-year-old wear a protective mask, Osimhen has remained committed to the cause and continues to inspire with his spirited display and determination.
Victor Osimhen – his numbers with Napoli
No one can deny that Victor Osimhen is one of the most exceptional football players in Italy this season. He has already made 16 appearances and scored 11 goals, proving his worth time and time again.
In his 100appearances with Napoli, he has scored an impressive 61 goals, with an average of 0.61 goals per game. His skills as a centre-forward are unmatched.
Alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and other talented players, he has the power to enchant and decide the fate of Napoli's comeback towards the title zone or at least a good placing that ensures European football next season.
Their goal is to return to the Champions League and make a name for themselves, despite the challenges left by coach Francesco Calzona's predecessors.
They are still in this season’s Champions League with a second-leg fixture against Barcelona and will be hoping to go past the Catalonians, win the trophy, and even make an appearance at the next FIFA Club World Cup.
As Victor Osimhen approaches his farewell from Napoli, we can't help but admire his achievements. He has already set records as the African footballer who has scored the most in Serie A and the one with the most goals in a single season (26 goals).
He is also the only Napoli player to have scored the most consecutive goals in Serie A (8 goals) and is the third in history to have scored double figures for four seasons in a row, alongside the great Diego Maradona and Attila Sallustro.
Although he missed a penalty against Juventus, he had already scored five goals in three games before that, a game that saw his goalscoring streak halted since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast.
His rivals have been warned – it's never over with Victor Osimhen, who is a relentless player and can turn the tables of a game with his skills and determination.
His accomplishments and achievements so far should be celebrated while football enthusiasts look forward to seeing him accomplish more soon.
