Sports

‘Napoli Treated Me Like A Bone Crusher ’ – Osimhen Opens Up About Painful Experience in Italy

Published

2 days ago

February 18, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen has made emotional and controversial revelations about his time at Italian football club Napoli, saying he felt deeply disrespected and mistreated during his stay with the club.

The football star described his experience in harsh terms, stating that he was treated “like a dog,” a comment that has sparked intense reactions across the football world.

Osimhen, who rose to global prominence through his performances in European football, spoke candidly about the challenges he faced while playing in Italy. Despite achieving success on the pitch and becoming one of the most recognisable African footballers in Europe, the striker revealed that his relationship with the club and its environment was far from positive.

His comments highlight the emotional toll professional football can take on players, especially those navigating foreign cultures, intense media scrutiny, and pressure from fans and management. While Osimhen enjoyed moments of glory and success at Napoli, his recent remarks suggest that his personal experience behind the scenes was marked by frustration, disappointment, and emotional distress.

The striker’s statements have reignited discussions about player welfare, club management culture, and the treatment of African players in European football systems. Supporters and analysts alike have debated whether clubs do enough to protect players emotionally and mentally, not just physically and professionally.

Osimhen’s journey to stardom has not been easy. From humble beginnings in Nigeria to becoming a global football icon, his career has been built on resilience, discipline, and determination. His rise through European leagues made him a symbol of hope and inspiration for many young African footballers dreaming of international success.

However, his recent comments reveal that success does not always equal happiness. Behind trophies, goals, and fame, players often face isolation, cultural barriers, racism, pressure, and identity struggles. Osimhen’s story reflects a broader reality in professional football where athletes may appear successful publicly but suffer privately.

Following his departure from Napoli, Osimhen moved to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, a transfer that marked a new chapter in his career. Many fans interpreted the move as both a professional and personal reset — an opportunity to escape a difficult environment and find renewed purpose and stability.

His comments have divided opinions among football supporters. Some fans sympathise with him, praising his courage for speaking openly about his experiences. Others argue that professional players should separate emotions from career obligations. Regardless of opinion, the conversation has highlighted the human side of football — reminding the world that players are not just entertainers but individuals with emotions and vulnerabilities.

Football analysts note that player-club relationships are becoming increasingly complex, driven by commercial interests, media narratives, and fan expectations. In such environments, emotional support systems are often overlooked, leaving players to cope alone with immense psychological pressure.

Osimhen’s remarks also raise important questions about how clubs manage diversity, inclusion, and player wellbeing. As football becomes more global, the need for cultural sensitivity, mental health support, and ethical management practices becomes increasingly important.

The controversy surrounding his comments may strain relationships with former fans and club supporters, but it also opens space for honest dialogue about respect, dignity, and humanity in professional sports.

Ultimately, Osimhen’s words reflect more than personal pain — they expose deeper structural issues within modern football systems. His story serves as a reminder that behind every football star is a human being who deserves respect, protection, and dignity.

As his career continues in a new environment, many supporters hope that Osimhen finds not only professional success but also peace, respect, and emotional stability. His courage in speaking out may inspire other players to share their experiences and push for healthier, more humane football cultures worldwide.

Source: Thepressradio.com

Sports

Real Madrid Submit Evidence To UEFA In Vinicius Racism Probe

Published

3 hours ago

February 20, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

Real Madrid CF say they have supplied “all available evidence” to UEFA as the governing body investigates allegations of racism made by forward Vinícius Júnior.

The Brazil international said he reported racial abuse by a Benfica player to referee Francois Letexier during Tuesday’s Champions League knockout round play-off tie in Lisbon. Real Madrid identified the player in question as Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni.

UEFA confirmed on Wednesday, February 19, that it had opened a disciplinary investigation into events at the match. Real Madrid subsequently issued a statement outlining their cooperation.

“Real Madrid CF announces that it has today provided UEFA with all available evidence regarding the incidents that occurred [on Tuesday, Feb. 17, during the Champions League match that our team played in Lisbon against SL Benfica,” the statement read.

“Our club has actively co-operated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match.

“Real Madrid is grateful for the unanimous support and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all sectors of the global football community. Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence and hatred in sport and in society.”

The match was temporarily paused in line with UEFA protocols after Vinícius alleged he had been abused following his goal celebration. Play was halted for approximately 10 minutes before resuming, with the forward completing the full game.

After the match, Vinícius wrote on his Instagram story in Portuguese: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.

“But they have protection from others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that happened today is new in my life and my family’s. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. Still not understanding why. On the other side, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.”

Prestianni denied making any racist comment in a post on Instagram, while SL Benfica criticised what it described as a “smear campaign” against their player.

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho has also faced criticism from anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, which labelled his post-match remarks as “gaslighting”.

Mourinho told Amazon Prime: “I told [Vinicius], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.”

He added that “something happens, always” in matches where Vinícius plays. UEFA’s investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Sports

Arsenal’s title hope under threat, drop points in Wolves draw

Published

1 day ago

February 19, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

Arsenal’s Premier League title hope under threat after it suffered a major blow as they squandered a two-goal lead and conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a damaging 2-2 draw at rock-bottom Wolves on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side were on course to move seven points clear at the top after Bukayo Saka’s early opener and Piero Hincapie’s second-half strike put them in control at Molineux.
But Arsenal collapsed in the closing stages as Hugo Bueno reduced the deficit before Riccardo Calafiori turned Tom Edozie’s shot into his own net in the final seconds after a mix-up between goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, to leave the visitors shell-shocked.
For a second successive league game, the Gunners had failed to hold onto a lead following their 1-1 draw at Brentford last Thursday.

Failing to kill off bottom-of-the-table Wolves was a devastating setback for Arsenal, who have won just two of their last seven league matches, offering renewed hope to second-placed Manchester City in the title race.
City are just five points behind Arsenal and have a game in hand on their rivals, as well as a home game against the Gunners in April.
Having wasted commanding leads in two previous title fights with City, Arteta’s men are in danger of being haunted by the ghost of their past failures.
Arsenal looked increasingly nervous as the minutes ticked down against Wolves in a clear sign that the league leaders are feeling the pressure of their bid for a first English title since 2004.

Adding to Arteta’s anxiety, Saka was forced off in the second half with a possible knee injury.
Losing the England star, who this week signed a new contract making him the club’s highest-paid player, for a sustained period would be a hammer blow to Arsenal’s title dreams.
Sitting 17 points from safety with only 11 games left, Wolves remain almost certain to be relegated, but they can take heart from a stunning fightback.

Arsenal Stunned
Once again playing as Arsenal’s number 10 after shining in that position against Wigan last weekend, Saka took just five minutes to show how comfortable he is away from his usual berth on the right wing.

Declan Rice flighted a pinpoint cross towards Saka, and he timed his run perfectly to guide a stooping header past Jose Sa from close-range.
It was Saka’s first goal in 15 matches in all competitions, dating back to December 3, ending his longest drought as an Arsenal player.

Arsenal’s best period of an inconsistent performance came in the first 20 minutes when Rice fired just wide before Noni Madueke’s drive forced a good save from Sa.

But as freezing sleet and snow gusted across Molineux, Arsenal were almost caught cold when Wolves midfielder Andre fizzed a fierce strike narrowly wide.
Wolves threatened again immediately after half-time as Adam Armstrong went close from distance.
Shaken out of their slumber by those escapes, Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 56th minute.

Gabriel slipped a precise pass through to Hincapie, and he fired into the roof of the net.
An offside flag initially disallowed the goal, but Hincapie was able to celebrate after a VAR check showed he was onside.
Just as Arsenal looked set to cruise to victory, Bueno reduced the deficit with a stunning strike — the left-back curling into the top corner from the edge of the area for his first Premier League goal.
Arsenal’s underachieving striker Viktor Gyokeres was hauled off by Arteta after just 11 touches and no shots.
Unable to finish off Wolves, the Gunners were punished in farcical fashion in stoppage-time.
Gabriel got in the way of Raya catching the ball, and when it fell to Edozie, the teenager rifled his shot in off Calafiori to leave Arteta in disbelief.