Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has spoken about his well-documented temperament issues, insisting he has grown thicker skin over the years and no longer lets his emotions consume him, Footynaija.com reports.
It is a narrative that has followed Osimhen everywhere he has gone. At Napoli, he fell out with the club over a TikTok video mocking him after a missed penalty, a row that eventually helped force his departure in 2024.
He publicly clashed with then Super Eagles coach Finidi George on social media during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, a spat so serious it contributed to Finidi’s resignation.
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And more recently, at the AFCON earlier this year, the 27-year-old squared up to Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Mozambique, shoved captain Wilfred Ndidi away when he tried to intervene, and had to be substituted off as the crowd booed him from the pitch, adding another chapter to the story.
Osimhen addresses the critics
Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Turin ahead of Galatasaray’s Champions League second leg against Juventus on Wednesday, Osimhen did not dodge the subject.
“I’m one of the most self-critical players. And I can say I’ve learned to live with criticism. Of course, there are times when I fail, when I get angry, when I fall down. I think that’s perfectly normal,” he said.
He also pointed to what he sees as the right way to lead, saying he tries to back up everything he says with his actions on the pitch, whether that means tracking back to help in defence or pushing teammates to want more.
“I’ve had the chance to play with many different players throughout my career. I always try to motivate both myself and my teammates. I strive to do this in the best way possible, and I also try to demonstrate what I tell them by example on the pitch,” he added.
