Victor Osimhen reveals torment over father's death during transfer chaos

Victor Osimhen says he nearly quit football after his father fell ill while he was at Lille and he was unable to return to Nigeria. He recalls desperately trying to secure permission to travel as the Covid‑19 pandemic spread, while his former representatives concentrated on completing a multi‑million‑euro transfer, a situation that left him in deep emotional turmoil.

He learned of his father’s passing over FaceTime and says the moment sent him into a rage. "I remember I threw the phone and I just went crazy," he said. "I tore up the entire house. Smashed everything. I was out of my mind." Neighbours stayed with him for hours, but he felt guilty that he had not been there in person.

After asking to bury his father, he says a former agent replied, "Go ahead. But come back Friday." He recalled thinking, "Friday? To hell with football." Arriving at Napoli in 2020, Osimhen describes himself as a broken man who found support under Luciano Spalletti.

Nigeria

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