28 September 2023 , 00:00
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Victor Osimhen decided against taking a penalty for Napoli against Udinese - less than 72 hours after being mocked by the club for missing from the spot on Sunday.
Napoli's TikTok account posted a video appearing to ridicule the forward after blazing a penalty wide of target during their 0-0 draw with local rivals Bologna. Osimhen's agent Roberto Calenda claimed on Tuesday that the Nigerian is considering legal action against the club following the social media post.
Despite the controversy surrounding the situation, Osimhen was named in the Napoli starting XI to face Udinese on Wednesday evening. Rudi Garcia's side started brightly at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute.
Instead of taking the spot-kick himself, Osimhen handed over the duties to Piotr Zielinksi, who did the rest by slamming the ball home. But Osimhen would later find the scoresheet himself as he doubled Napoli's lead six minutes before half-time, calmly slotting home inside the 18-yard box.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a third with a quarter of an hour to play, before Lazar Samardzic pulled one back for Udinese. But any late hope for the visitors was extinguished when Giovanni Simeone scored Napoli's fourth of the night to wrap up a convincing home win as Garcia's side moved up to fifth.
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As for Osimhen, his long-term future is up in the air and he has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea in the summer transfer window. Following the post on TikTok, Calenda wrote on X: "What happened today on Napoli's official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable.
Will Victor Osimhen leave Napoli? Let us know in the comments below!
Victor Osimhen scored for Napoli against Udinese (Getty Images)"A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted. 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."
There did appear to be some tension between Garcia and Osimhen after the striker was taken off late into the draw at Bologna. The Frenchman played down the incident, however. He said on Sunday: "The missed penalty happens to the greatest players in the history of football.
"Then I obviously spoke to him about his exit, but what I said to him and the team he remains in the locker room. I may not be happy with their performance, but we are a squad with many players and therefore obviously everyone must be used. He is the penalty taker."
Osimhen starred for Napoli last season as they lifted the Serie A title, scoring 31 times in all competitions. He has continued his rich vein of form into this campaign, netting four goals in seven matches so far.