Record-Breaker Victor Osimhen Enters Serie A’s Elite List

Record-Breaker Victor Osimhen Enters Serie A’s Elite List
Credit: Iconsport

In a remarkable feat, Victor Osimhen, the talented Nigerian striker, has etched his name in the annals of Italian football history.

Osimhen has become the first African player to be crowned Capocannoniere, the top scorer in Serie A, and achieve this remarkable feat while winning the Scudetto with his club, Napoli. The last time a player combined both the Scudetto and Capocannoniere titles was in the 2008-09 season, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic achieved the feat with Inter Milan.

Osimhen's outstanding performance throughout the season has earned him the prestigious Capocannoniere title, leaving his competitors far behind. With an impressive tally of 25 goals, Osimhen has comfortably secured the top spot, even before the final game of the season. His closest competitor, Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan, could not surpass Osimhen's goal tally of 25, ensuring the Nigerian striker's place in history.

Napoli clinched the Scudetto with five rounds to spare, showcasing their exceptional form and consistency throughout the campaign. Osimhen's contributions have been instrumental in Napoli's success, and now he can relish the dual glory of being the top scorer and a league champion.

Joining the ranks of football legends, Osimhen becomes the fourth Napoli player in the post-war period to claim the Capocannoniere title. The esteemed trio of Diego Maradona in 1987-88, Edinson Cavani in 2012-13, and Gonzalo Higuain in 2015-16 preceded him.

In addition to this historic achievement, Osimhen has surpassed the long-standing record of George Weah, another African football icon. Weah's record of 47 goals in the Italian top flight has been surpassed by Osimhen, cementing his place in the record books by surpassing the milestone of 50 goals.  This accomplishment is a testament to Osimhen's exceptional skills, consistency, and adaptability in Serie A.

While Osimhen's triumph as the first African Capocannoniere is undoubtedly a groundbreaking moment, it is worth mentioning that Samuel Eto'o came close to claiming the title during the 2010-11 season. Eto'o's impressive tally of 21 goals for Inter Milan put him in contention, but he was narrowly beaten by Antonio Di Natale of Udinese, who secured the Capocannoniere title with 28 goals.

Osimhen's exceptional performances throughout the season have garnered further recognition, as he was named the Serie A Striker of the Year 2022/23. Additionally, his outstanding contributions have secured him a place in the Serie A 2022/23 Team of the Season, cementing his status as one of the league's top performers.

Most Goals in a Serie A Season

Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian sensation, has left an indelible mark on Italian football by entering the illustrious top6 list of players with the most goals scored in a single Serie A season.

With an outstanding tally of 26 goals during the 2022/23 campaign, Osimhen's name now resides among the elite scorers in the history of the league. Super Eagles striker has surprised Zlatan Ibrahimovic recorded of 25 goals season during 2008-2009 season with Internazionale.

Osimhen has equaled Fabio Quagliarella (2018-19), Andrea Belotti (2016-17), and Edinson Cavani (2010-11) records of 26 goals a season.

Number of Goals Players
36

Ciro Immobile

Gonzalo Higuain
31 Cristiano Ronaldo
29

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ciro Immobile

Mario Icardi

Edin Dzeko

Edison Cavani

Antonio De Natale
28

Dries Mertens

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
27 Ciro Immobile
26

Victor Osimhen

Fabio Quagliarella

Andrea Belotti

Edinson Cavani

 

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Rababe Koussaimi
Rababe Koussaimi, a 22-year-old journalist, is deeply passionate about the world of sports. She grew up in a footballing environment, supporting both Bayern Munich and Wydad Athletic Club. She began her English journalism career by hosting a podcast for the first English radio station in Morocco. Currently, the Moroccan journalist channels her enthusiasm into writing and conducting extensive research, creating insightful and engaging content for GoalBall Live readers.
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