Recently, the Italian Serie A saw brand new champions crowned. SSC Napoli became the fourth Scudetto winner in four years this season and ended their 33 year league title drought in the process.
It was a long wait for the side from Naples who had once or twice (most recently in 2018) been close to becoming champions but could never get to the promised land. The story this season was different, as they sealed the title with four games to spare.
Greatness🇳🇬🇮🇹🌍🙏🏽🏆 pic.twitter.com/e9GZuwXD3S
— Victor Osimhen (@victorosimhen9) May 7, 2023
A key reason for their success was none other than Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen. The 24-year-old was signed three years ago for what was a club record fee in 2020 and his achievements this year have seen him pay back his hefty transfer fee and then some.
Record Breaker
With 23 goals in 28 appearances this season, Osimhen is on his way to making history as the first African player to finish a Serie A season as the top scorer in the league. He also broke the record for the most goals scored by an African player in a Serie A season, surpassing the record set by Samuel Eto’o, who scored 21 goals for Inter Milan in one season.
His record setting season does not stop there. Over the weekend, Osimhen scored his 47th Serie A goal which made him the all time highest goal scorer in Serie A history. His goal saw him surpass Liberian President and Former AC Milan superstar, George Weah who congratulated Osimhen for breaking his record. He also expressed his belief that the Super Eagles forward can win the Ballon D’Or like he did in the past
“My heartfelt congratulations to you, Victor Osimhen! I am very glad that you have accomplished a major milestone in your football career, after scoring your 47th goal in the Italian Serie A league,” the Facebook post read.
“I am so proud of your exploits and congratulate you on this remarkable achievement which is a result of your hard work, dedication and tenacity. I am also pleased with your kind words of honour in tribute to me upon reaching such a giant milestone.
“However, I want to admonish you not to be contented. There are many more of my records for you to break. I wish you go on to achieve greater success. I watched your goal against Udinese when your 52nd-minute header won the Scudetto for Napoli.
“With your dedication, commitment, humility, and hard work, you can conquer the World. Africa needs another World Best. Africa needs another European Best. You Victor, can deliver that for us.”
While Growing Up, I Have Always Admired The Great Achievements Of So Many African Legends And His Excellency Mr GEORGE WEAH Is One Of Them, An Icon In The World Of Football And Also A Leader To His People. Someone Who Has Motivated And Inspired Millions Of Young Talents Alike.… pic.twitter.com/7wfhsduCSC
— Victor Osimhen (@victorosimhen9) May 8, 2023
Is Osimhen the greatest Striker to grace Serie A?
There have been a lot of great African players who have graced the Serie A and a lot of them could lay claim to be the greatest in the history of the League but what Osimhen accomplished for his team this season puts him above the rest.
For Napoli, it was their first title in over a generation and the first they won since the late, great Diego Maradona was their star man. To win a League title after all those years of waiting is very significant to that fanbase.
The achievements of the likes of Eto’o and Weah are nothing to be scoffed at. No talian team has won a treble since Eto’o’s Inter and no African player has been named World Footballer of the Year since Weah, but they did it with already established sides that were known to be regular contenders.
The sky is truly the limit for Osimhen who has a big decision to make in the summer. His status in the history books of Italian football has already been solidified but there is a chance he stays there and continues to build a strong legacy at the club. On the other hand there are huge clubs looking to sign him.
Whatever decision he makes, he will definitely grow for strength to strength.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
