Former Charleroi midfielder Gaetan Hendrickx has lifted the lid on Victor Osimhen’s incredible rise, describing the Super Eagles striker as one of the most complete centre-forwards he has ever shared a pitch with, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen was only 19 years old when he arrived at Charleroi, but he left Belgium just 12 months later as the club’s biggest outgoing transfer of all time in a €23 million move to Lille after scoring 20 goals and providing 4 assists in 36 matches.
Looking back at that unforgettable season, Hendrickx says the warning signs of greatness were there from day one. Speaking to Belgian media, the former Charleroi star could not hide his admiration.
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What Gaetan Hendrickx said about Victor Osimhen
“I have rarely seen such a complete striker,” explains Gaetan Hendrickx, the midfield maestro of Charleroi at the time. “Generally, a striker has one or two major strengths… but Victor had everything: power, speed, depth, technique, stamina, jumping ability, heading. Everything!”
According to Hendrickx, Osimhen’s talent was so obvious that even coach Felice Mazzu predicted superstardom long before the world caught on.
“I remember, at the beginning I went into Mazzu’s office and Felice said to me, ‘Take a good look at this one, because one day he’ll play for the biggest clubs in the world!’
“At the time, I chuckled a bit… and we saw what happened next: I never would have imagined it! Besides, Felice always said he was like a son to him! (He laughs)”
While most fans first noticed his explosive speed and strength, Hendrickx insists Osimhen’s technique was just as frightening, and often overlooked.
“You see his power and speed first, but technically, Victor is capable of doing crazy things. You’d send him an unstoppable high ball: I would have been afraid of tearing my leg, but he’d catch it with an incredible leap or move.
“It’s simple: you’d give him a hard time, and he’d make a great save. Victor has this instinctive technique of players who learned football in the streets.”
Following his exploits with the Belgian Pro League club, the Nigeria international has gone on to establish himself as one of the deadliest strikers on the planet, having fired the likes of Napoli and Galatasaray to remarkable trophy-winning campaigns.
