Napoli’s Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen was photographed reacting during the Serie A match between Spezia and Napoli on 5 February 2023 at the Alberto‑Picco stadium in La Spezia (photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP).
On Monday, several Nigerian and international football stars, including Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi, congratulated Osimhen for winning the 2022 Best Foreign Athlete in Italy award. The Super Eagles striker has been prolific for the Parthenopeans since the start of last year, finishing the 2021/22 season with 18 goals and five assists in 32 games, including 14 goals in 27 league appearances. Notably, seven of those league goals came in the second half of the season.
Former Manchester United and Al Hilal striker Odion Ighalo posted on Instagram, “Congrats bro.” Everton midfielder and Super Eagles player Alex Iwobi simply wrote, “Big.” Nigerian winger Peter Olayinka added, “Well deserved bro,” while former Dutch international and Barcelona legend Patrick Kluivert commented, “Well deserved brother congrats.”
The 24‑year‑old striker, who beat hundreds of other athletes in Italy to claim the prestigious prize, expressed his gratitude on Instagram: “Amazing feeling to be awarded the 2022 Best Foreign Athlete in Italy. Thank y’all for your support. God is the greatest.”
Osimhen has continued his exceptional form into the 2022/23 season, leading Serie A’s scoring chart with 19 goals in 21 appearances—five ahead of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez. His performances have propelled Napoli toward a potential first Serie A title in over 30 years. Napoli and Osimhen will next host Atalanta at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday.
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