Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has opened up on his decision to leave Napoli, confirming that he turned down the opportunity to remain at the Italian club despite personal appeals from manager Antonio Conte.

Osimhen, who now plays for Galatasaray, made the revelation during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, where he clarified reports suggesting that Conte did not want him in the squad.

According to the 27-year-old forward, the opposite was true. He disclosed that the Italian coach personally invited him to stay and expressed his desire to work with him.

“When Conte came in, he called me into his office and said he knew about the situation, but he still wanted me to stay,” Osimhen explained.

However, the Nigerian star said his mind was already made up, stressing that his happiness and mental state played a major role in the decision.

“I told him I would like to work with him, but I had already made my decision: I didn’t want to keep playing in a place where I wasn’t happy,” he added.

His comments have now provided clarity on his departure, which had generated speculation among fans and football analysts.

Opinion: Happiness in Football — A Lesson Beyond the Game

Victor Osimhen’s statement highlights an often overlooked reality in professional sports: footballers are human beings before they are athletes. While fans frequently focus on contracts, trophies, and statistics, personal well-being can be just as decisive as career ambition.

Choosing happiness over prestige is not always easy, especially when it involves leaving a successful club or turning down the chance to work with a renowned coach like Antonio Conte. But Osimhen’s decision reflects emotional maturity — recognizing that performance and satisfaction are deeply connected.

In many professions, people remain in uncomfortable environments because of fear, expectations, or financial incentives. Osimhen’s honesty sends a powerful message: long-term success often requires being in the right mental and emotional space.

For young athletes and fans alike, the takeaway is clear — ambition should not come at the cost of personal well-being. A fulfilled player is more likely to perform at his best, and ultimately, happiness can be one of the strongest foundations for greatness.

Osimhen’s journey therefore goes beyond football; it becomes a reminder that sometimes, walking away is not weakness — it is wisdom.