Napoli star Victor Osimhen laid all his cards on the table on Saturday, lashing out at Finidi George over reported comments about him.
The reigning African Best addressed alleged statements by Finidi, now resigned Nigerian coach, regarding dropping him from the Super Eagles’ squad due to his injury during international duty.
Speaking on Instagram, Osimhen said, “I’ve lost my respect for Finidi,” and claimed he tried to report to camp for the double clash against South Africa and Benin in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers despite his rehabilitation.
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“I knew things like this would happen, I am not dumb. Immediately after the MRI, the next day, the doctor called me and spoke to me about my health,” Osimhen explained.
“So I called Finidi immediately. I even had one of my friends send him a video of me discussing with the doctor,” he continued.
“I’ve always given my all whether playing for my club or country. I’ve been disrespected enough, and I can’t keep quiet because I’m a footballer. I asked to join the squad, but he insisted I stay with my family,” added the Napoli sensation.
As of the time of this report, Finidi has yet to respond to Osimhen's remarks. Meanwhile, reactions from fans have been divided, with some criticizing Osimhen's approach while others support his stance.
One fan commented on X, “Did he go live when Napoli mocked him on TikTok? No, but he’s quick to react when it involves the national team.”
Another fan remarked, “It’s like he forgets his impact in the last AFCON. People overestimate their importance.”
In contrast, some defended Osimhen, stating, “For him to speak out, something must be wrong. We have nearly six years until the next World Cup; most players will be nearing 30 by then.”
Another supporter added, “In the current Super Eagles squad, no one sacrifices for Nigeria like Osimhen. He’s a €100M+ player, ranked 8th Best Player globally, and the reigning CAF Player of the Year. He deserves respect!”
In other developments, reports indicate that Super Eagles coach Finidi has resigned following the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to bring in a foreign technical adviser without prior notification to him, despite recent discussions with federation officials.
Sources indicate that tensions arose after these developments, prompting Finidi's decision to step down from his role.