Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is on the cusp of achieving a feat that has only been accomplished by one other player in the club’s history.
The Nigerian international has had a superb season with Napoli, scoring 22 goals in 27 league appearances.
The 24-year-old’s performances this season have been nothing short of outstanding. He has been a constant threat to opposing defenses with his pace, power, and clinical finishing.
Osimhen joined Napoli in the summer of 2020 from French club Lille for a reported fee of €70 million, making him the most expensive African player in history.
He has not looked back since, as he now eyes a record only held by one of football’s celestial figures, Maradona.
Maradona is arguably the greatest player to have ever worn the Napoli jersey. The Argentine wizard led the team to their first-ever Serie A title in 1987 and then again in 1990.
During both title-winning campaigns, Maradona was the team’s top scorer, with 10 goals in 1986–87 and 16 goals in 1989–90. This means no other Napoli player has ever achieved the feat of being the top scorer in a title-winning season besides Maradona.
Fast forward to 2022–23, and Victor Osimhen has emerged as the new talisman of Napoli. The Super Eagles striker has been in red-hot form, scoring 22 goals in 27 outings.
He is the reigning league topscorer and has led Napoli to their third-ever Serie A title.
It’s a matter of inevitability rather than probability that Victor Osimhen will end the league season as Napoli’s top scorer. He is currently 10 goals ahead of second-placed Kvaratskhelia with only five games left.
Napoli win first Scudetto in 33 years in dramatic fashion
Napoli sealed the title in dramatic fashion, drawing 1-1 against Udinese on matchday 33.
Udinese took an unexpected lead in the 13th minute through Lovric. However, Osimhen equalized in the 52nd minute, securing the crucial point that took Napoli over the finish line.
Under the guidance of coach Luciano Spalletti, Napoli has had an outstanding season, winning the league with 80 points, ahead of Lazio with 64.
They coupled that with an impressive run to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, where they were knocked out by AC Milan. Well, they got some sort of revenge against Milan on Thursday by dethroning them as champions of Italy.
Along with the title of Italian champion, Osimhen will walk away with a Maradona record and the Serie A Golden Boot come the end of the season.
Osimhen’s achievement in matching Maradona’s feat is nothing short of remarkable. Maradona is a Napoli legend and is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.
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To match his record at the club is a testament to Osimhen’s talent and potential. Napoli fans will undoubtedly be excited to see what the future holds for Osimhen if they manage to keep him.
