Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has made startling revelations about his time at Napoli, claiming the club treated him poorly following a breakdown in their relationship.

The Nigerian forward, who now plays for Galatasaray, spoke candidly in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, where he described feeling disrespected during his final period with the Serie A side.

Osimhen alleged that despite having what he described as a gentleman’s agreement to leave the club after a particular season, the agreement was not fully honoured. He further claimed that the club attempted to move him around without regard for his wishes after tensions escalated.

“We had a gentleman’s agreement that I could leave the following summer, but the other side didn’t fully fulfill that commitment,” he said.

“They tried to send me everywhere, they treated me like a dog. Go here, go there, do this, do that. I worked so hard for my career, I could not accept that kind of treatment. I’m not a puppet.”

His remarks come ahead of Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoff first-leg clash, adding extra attention to the striker as he prepares for the crucial European fixture.

The controversy surrounding Osimhen and Napoli dates back to a social media incident in which the club posted a TikTok video appearing to mock him after he missed a penalty against Bologna — a move that sparked widespread criticism and reportedly deepened tensions between player and management, including club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Opinion: Respect in Professional Football — A Two-Way Street

Victor Osimhen’s comments shine a light on a recurring issue in modern football: the delicate balance between business interests and human dignity. Clubs operate as commercial institutions with financial priorities, but players are not commodities — they are individuals with emotions, ambitions, and personal limits.

When trust between a player and a club breaks down, the consequences often extend beyond the pitch. Confidence drops, performance suffers, and relationships become difficult to repair. Osimhen’s frustration suggests that, for him, the issue was not merely about transfers or contracts, but about respect.

At the same time, conflicts between players and management are rarely one-sided. Football careers involve complex negotiations, expectations, and pressures from multiple stakeholders. Transparency, communication, and mutual respect are essential to avoid disputes escalating into public confrontations.

For fans, the situation serves as a reminder that behind the glamour of elite football lies a demanding professional environment where mental well-being and respect matter as much as trophies and salaries.

Ultimately, Osimhen’s story reinforces an important lesson: talent may attract success, but respect sustains it.