Former Super Eagles and Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo has hit back at critics who claim that Victor Osimhen is not a world class player.
Speaking in an interview with Brila.net, Ighalo defended his compatriot, highlighting Osimhen’s work ethic, achievements, and the challenges he overcomes on and off the pitch.
“Those people that are saying Osimhen is not a world class, it’s their opinion. Forget that he is my brother.
“Osimhen is one of the best players in the world. How do they judge world class? I played in the Serie A, I know how difficult it is. He finished as top scorer of the league. At Galatasaray, he is scoring goals in the league and UCL.
“Africans, we bring our own down. If an English player is doing what Osimhen is doing, they will sing his praise to the high heavens.”
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Odion Ighalo also described the challenges Osimhen encountered before his move to Galatasaray.
“They want him to go to Chelsea where he will lower his wages by far. They wanted to have his image right and pay him peanuts,” Ighalo disclosed.
“Some players are not doing half of what he is doing and they are earning a lot. Me as a striker, I can’t play the way Osimhen is doing. He plays with his life. I can’t play like that; he chases defenders and bullies them. You can’t get Osimhen on your team and he won’t work.
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“He is playing with a knee injury. How many people know that? And he will keep running, chasing defenders. If you spend the money to buy Osimhen, he will give you everything. Maybe because he is a Nigerian, he deserves to earn everything he is earning and even more.”
Ighalo’s defense underscores the respect Osimhen commands among his peers and highlights the challenges African players often face in gaining recognition at the highest level of European football.
His remarks also shed light on the resilience, determination, and professionalism that have made Osimhen one of Nigeria’s brightest footballers.
