The French star and the Norwegian goal machine are some of the world’s most highly-rated talents, but the Nigerian youngster’s quality could elevate him to their level
Former Napoli striker Bruno Giordano has predicted that Victor Osimhen can rise to the peak and dominate the game for another ten years alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
With superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo approaching the twilight of their illustrious careers, Mbappe and Haaland are among the talents widely tipped to step in and fill the gap with excellent performances.
At 22, Mbappe has won four Ligue 1 titles, named Ligue 1 Player of the Year twice, and has finished as Ligue 1 top scorer for three consecutive seasons.
The Frenchman’s move to PSG made him both the second-most expensive player and most expensive teenager. He is already the third-highest goalscorer in the club’s history.
Dortmund’s Haaland may not have a CV anywhere that impressive, but the Norwegian forward is already a renowned finisher at just 21.
The former Red Bull Salzburg lad ended last season as both the Bundesliga Player of the Season and the UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season. He is constantly being linked with a transfer to one of Europe’s mega clubs.
Osimhen is somewhat of a late bloomer who only began his senior career in Germany at VfL Wolfsburg in 2017, after helping Nigeria to victory at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
The Lagos-born striker’s profile has been on the rise thanks to stints at Sporting Charleroi in Belgium and Lille in France.
A club-record move to Napoli last year only yielded ten goals, but the 22-year-old has already notched six goals in September alone, wowing the football audience in Italy and reportedly attracting interests from Chelsea and Manchester United.
And Giordano believes it is only a matter of time before the Super Eagles attacker, with the help of Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti, is viewed on the same level as the two other exciting talents.
“If I think of him (Osimhen), I think of Haaland and Mbappé, as the masters of the next decade,” Giordano told Corriere Dello Sport, as per TuttoNapoli.
“He is a force of nature and not just for physicality. Congratulations to those who decided to bet on him and Napoli for having invested.
“He was also lucky enough to find himself with a coach who has always built impressive strikers.”
Osimhen and Napoli will take to the pitch of the Diego Maradona Stadium on Thursday for their Europa League matchday two clash against Victor Moses’ Spartak Moscow.
The Nigerian international scored twice on matchday one in Il Partenopei’s 2-2 draw at Leicester City.
