Napoli star Victor Osimhen explains why Didier Drogba is one of his role models and says Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero is the toughest defender he’s ever faced.

The Nigeria international has recently returned to action following a cheekbone injury that had forced him to the sidelines for over two months.

Osimhen is currently playing with a protective mask which did not prevent him from scoring against Venezia the last weekend.

“I felt like my face had exploded,” the 23-year-old said in an interview with Repubblica newspaper talking about his injury against Inter.

“I touched my face and I couldn’t feel anything. I was even struggling to sleep. However, I’ve worked hard on my recovery with the desire to improve as much as possible. I’ve tried to return as soon as possible without feeling sorry for myself.”

Osimhen did also talk about his career, on and off the pitch, from Africa to Europe.

“I must say that I am quite fed up with those who consider African players like victims,” he said.

“There aren’t just sad stories, we are good footballers who want to improve. I was poor as a kid, but now it’s different. Otherwise, you nail me to a past that I do not forget, but that does not take into account what I’ve become.”

Osimhen has earned comparisons with some of the best strikers in the world, including Romelu Lukaku and Didier Drogba, but does he have a role model?

“I like Drogba, but not just as a footballer,” Osimhen claimed.

“I like leaders and he was it on and off the pitch, where it counts the most. He has a personality that I admire.”

The Napoli star named Ciro Immobile as his favourite Italian striker. “I think he is extraordinary,” he admitted.

“He always squeezes past defenders. He is always in the right place at the right time. You may not see him, but he is always there and makes everything look so easy, especially scoring goals.”

Who is the toughest defender he’s ever faced?

“[Cristian] Romero, who is now at Tottenham. He was always faster than me every time we faced each other. The other one is Kalidou Koulibaly, he never let me score in training. When Nigeria were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations, I supported Senegal.

How about Insigne? The Napoli captain will join Toronto FC at the end of his contract with the Partenopei in June. What does Osimhen make of his choice?
“He has a family and has surely made his assessment. He did what was best for him. I am in a different situation, but I don’t say: ‘I’ll never do like him.”
2 thought on “Osimhen makes Drogba admission, names Romero as the ‘toughest defender’ he’s ever faced”
  1. lol he said that because romero isn’t play in serie-a anymore. he never scored against milan inter and juve tho.

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