Osimhen – Spalletti spat: Napoli defender Rui provides positive update

The Nigeria international and his Italian boss created a scene during training on Monday with the youngster taking an early shower

Napoli full-back Mario Rui has waved away rumours of a rift between striker Victor Osimhen and manager Luciano Spalletti following their quarrel in a video that has since gone viral.

After weeks of being in the news regarding a possible move to the English Premier League, Osimhen was back in the headlines for the wrong reasons on Monday.

The Super Eagles star was caught on video having a shouting match with a teammate. And after head coach Spalletti failed to calm the former Lille ace down, the veteran tactician sent him out of the training ground.

Portuguese defender Mario Rui was also in training when the ugly incident happened. Rui, however, views the incident differently, maintaining that Osimhen only displayed positive passion and desire.

The 31-year-old made it clear that Spalletti and Osimhen made up later in the evening, and nothing should be made out of the encounter.

“When I see a teammate pushing in training, I am very happy,” Rui told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, as per Tutto Napoli.

“I like this type of training because it means there is desire, dedication, and attachment to the cause. Then, of course, it takes serenity, but I can assure you that nothing has happened. At the end of the training, everything was over, and in the evening, we were all together for dinner.”

Rui confesses his admiration for Osimhen, a striker he knew even before he joined Napoli. The defender is, however, convinced that the best of the Nigerian forward is yet to come.

“I already knew something about him (Osimhen) because I had seen him in Lille,” Rui added.

“Then, when he arrived in Naples, I saw him up close and he demonstrated his very important qualities. In my opinion, he still hasn’t expressed all his talent yet.”

Osimhen returned to Napoli training on Tuesday as Spalletti looked to calm the tension in camp.