If, in the unlikely turn, Victor Osimhen remains at SSC Napoli next season, then the superstar forward will need to dig deep to drag the Naples side to another historic moment.
The Neapolitans are unhappy with their current situation as they want to remain in the mainframe of European and world football.
As it is, Napoli is struggling to return to the Champions League next season, and they are counting on the goals of Osimhen to see them beat othercomers in picking up a spot.
The other target within their sight is the FIFA Club World Cup, and they are losing the battle for a place in the tournament next year to Juventus.
Osimhen and Napoli have to upstage Juventus to qualify for Club World Cup
Osimhen scored a goal against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League tie to keep hopes of progressing in the tournament alive.
Their path to the FIFA Club World Cup is laced with thorns, and the Napoli president is unhappy.
According to the new FIFA rules for qualification for the tournament between June and July next year, Napoli are behind Juventus in the ranking for a spot.
They have to do what the club has never achieved in its history – reach the semi-finals of the UCL to qualify ahead of Juventus.
As the UEFA @ChampionsLeague knockout phase continues, more clubs can secure their spot at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ 🏆🌎
A total of 12 European teams will be involved at next year’s tournament. Find out who is close to securing their spot… pic.twitter.com/atiQh2j9zN
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) March 5, 2024
It is the reason the club needs Osimhen to bang in the goals to qualify.
The points-based qualification system has left Osimhen and co-shorthanded, with the prospect of reaching the semi-final a monumental task.
The FIFA Club World Cup rules
Despite the threat of protest against Juventus by Napoli's President due to the Bianconeri's financial status, FIFA has published the qualification route for the tournament.
Twenty-three teams have qualified for the 32-team tournament, with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea qualifying as champions in the last four years.
The winner of this year's UCL will pick up the fourth slot.
Other European teams who have also qualified include PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Benfica and Porto.
Other teams jostling for a place include Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Napoli is in a direct battle with Juventus for the other Italian ticket and is banking on Osimhen who has hit double figures this season to help them. Meanwhile, Lazio crashed out following their loss to Bayern Munich.
Can Osimhen lead Napoli one step further than last season?
In the last Champions League, the Naples side crashed out in the quarter-final against AC Milan, with Osimhen scoring their only goal in a 1-1 second-leg draw.
🔍🇮🇹 Italy@juventusfc will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ if @sscnapoli and @OfficialSSLazio fail to progress in Europe this month. pic.twitter.com/2FvPa7NQTU
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) March 5, 2024
The dye is cast, and Osimhen has his work cut out. If he succeeds in leading the Partenopei to the UCL semi-final, he will have edged his name in eternal Napoli glory.
Meanwhile, there is the little matter of beating Barcelona in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie, with the Blaugrana seeking a quarter-final place to qualify.
No matter what happens, Osimhen will unlikely remain at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium beyond the summer.
He might play in the FIFA Club World Club in the colours of another club.
This article was most recently revised and updated 7 months ago
