Adriana Garcia4 Minute Reading
Marcotti: Napoli boss posted an ‘act of self-destruction’
Gab Marcotti has reacted to now-deleted Napoli social media posts mocking star striker Victor Osimhen.
The video was posted and then removed from Napoli’s official TikTok on Tuesday and followed Osimhen removing almost all photos of himself in the team’s shirt from his social media accounts and his agent -says he is considering taking legal action.
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“To avoid any potential exploitation of this matter, SSC Napoli would like to clearly state that the club never intended to hurt or make fun of Victor Osimhen, who is an asset to the club,” Napoli said in a statement on Thursday.
“During the summer Napoli rejected all offers to sign the striker – strong proof of the club’s admiration for him.
“On social media, and especially on TikTok, expressive language is used in a light-hearted and playful way. In this case involving Victor there was no intention to mock or ridicule.
“If Victor is hurt in any way, it’s not in the club’s intention.”
Speaking after Wednesday’s 4-1 Serie A win over Udinese, in which Osimhen scored, Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia called the post “clumsy” but added that the player was committed to playing for the champions in Italy.
Nigerian international Osimhen scored 31 goals for Napoli last season as they ended their three-decade wait for another Serie A title and also reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Despite talks of a new contract opening months ago, the 24-year-old is yet to sign a new deal to replace his current deal which runs until 2025.
“I can assure you he loves this jersey and that he will give his all this year,” said Garcia in the postmatch interview on DAZN.
“No one wants to harm, neither TikTok nor Victor in their social networks. No harm is intended but there are instinctive reactions. I don’t know if now Osimhen will publish his photos on social media again also with [Napoli] shirt.”
There seemed to be tension between Garcia and Osimhen during Sunday’s draw in Bologna, with the forward seemingly upset after being substituted. However, Garcia praised Osimhen’s behavior in the game last Wednesday.
“In Bologna, we were all disappointed and angry because we didn’t win,” Garcia said. “Especially Victor because he missed the penalty. We cleared things up and everything returned to the normality of the sport. Then there were two days of management because of a clumsy episode [the posting of the video].”
Osimhen scored Napoli’s second goal against Udinese but did not celebrate as his teammates ran to congratulate him.
Earlier, he let teammate Piotr Zielinski take a penalty that broke the deadlock.
“I complimented him,” said Garcia about Osimhen, who was designated as Napoli’s penalty taker. “I have a good relationship with Victor since I arrived and I am happy because he scored, a center-forward always wants to score goals.”
Osimhen and Napoli return to action on Saturday at Lecce before the Serie A giants host Real Madrid in the Champions League on October 3.