Victor Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has threatened legal action against Napoli after the club posted a TikTok video mocking the Nigerian striker for missing a penalty in a recent match against Bologna.
Gatekeepers News reports that the video, which has subsequently been deleted, showed Osimhen failing to score his spot-kick with high-pitched voiceover saying “gimme penalty please.”
Osimhen, 24, who has endured a difficult start to the new season, missed a penalty during his side’s goalless draw with Bologna before being substituted by manager Rudi Garcia, a decision that infuriated the 24-year-old.
The forward, however, apologised for flaring up after being subbed off.
Calenda expressed his outrage on X, calling the video “not acceptable” and stating that it caused “very serious damage” to the player. He also mentioned the media trials and fake news that Osimhen has been subjected to recently.
“What happened today on Napoli’s official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted,” Calenda said on Twitter, now called X, late on Tuesday evening.
“(It is) A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last period between media trials and fake news.
“We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor.”
Subsequently, the Nigerian forward has removed all pictures related to Napoli from his Instagram account.
Despite facing challenges in the early weeks of the season, Osimhen has still managed to score three goals in six appearances for Napoli.
As a promising talent, Osimhen attracted attention from clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
Napoli is currently negotiating a contract extension with the 24-year-old striker, whose current deal expires in June 2025.
The 24-year-old has become an icon in Naples after scoring 31 times in all competitions last season as Napoli won their first league title since 1990.
Osimhen’s 70 million euros transfer from Lille over three years ago is being investigated by Italian authorities as Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis is among those being investigated by prosecutors in Rome for allegedly falsely inflating the value of the transfer with four players sold to Lille as part of the deal according to Tuesday Italian media.
Napoli are seventh in Serie A, seven points behind league leaders Inter Milan after winning just two of their opening five domestic matches.
Rudi Garcia’s side host Udinese on Wednesday before travelling to Lecce on Saturday and then welcoming Real Madrid to Naples on Tuesday night.
