Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles striker, shattered Cristiano Ronaldo’s four‑year record on Sunday to become Serie A’s “jump‑king” with a 2.58‑metre leap during Napoli’s convincing 3‑0 away win over Spezia. The Nigerian international scored his first goal of the match – Napoli’s second – against the Little Eagles at the Stadio Alberto Picco, delivering a header that could be remembered as one of the greatest in football history.
After a goalless first half, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave Luciano Spalletti’s side the lead from the penalty spot. Osimhen then added the second goal in the 68th minute with a remarkable effort. The 24‑year‑old executed a staggering 71 cm vertical jump, reaching a height of 8.47 ft (2.58 m), well above the 8‑ft crossbar, before heading the ball past Spezia goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski.
According to Corriere dello Sport (via Tutto Napoli), Osimhen’s jump matched the vertical reach typical of elite NBA players. In doing so, he set a new Serie A record, surpassing Ronaldo’s previous mark of 2.56 m, which was achieved for Juventus against Sampdoria in 2019. It also represented a personal best for Osimhen, who previously recorded a 2.52 m jump against Torino at the Diego Maradona Stadium last season. The overall world record of 2.62 m, set by Ugandan defender Bevis Mugabi in the Scottish Championship in January 2021, remains untouched.
The goal contributed to Osimhen’s tally of 16 Serie A goals this season, the highest number he has ever scored in a single campaign.
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