Despite two impressive campaigns since joining Italian Serie A side Napoli from Lille, Portugal international Mario Rui believes his Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen is yet to reach his full potential.
Osimhen joined Napoli for a record €81m plus add-ons during the 2020 transfer window and has gone on to become one of Luciano Spaletti’s key players.
Despite two seasons blighted by injuries and some health-related issues, the 23-year-old has still managed to score 24 goals and provided eight more assists from 54 games.
The Super Eagles striker was last season voted the Serie A U-23 Best Young Player following an impressive 2021/22 season where he scored 14 goals in 27 matches, helping The Parthenopeans to finish third and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Rui, in an interview with Radio Kiss Kiss, a Naples-based radio station, stated that he expected more from Osimhen, after also watching him play at Lille, before joining Napoli.
“I already knew something about him because I had seen him in Lille,” the midfielder was quoted as saying.
“Then when he arrived in Naples I saw him up close and he demonstrates his qualities, which are very important.
“In my opinion, he has not yet expressed all his talent.”
Osimhen’s exploits have not gone unnoticed as he has been one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe with clubs like Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Newcastle and even Real Madrid all interested in the Nigerian.
The striker in a recent interview however stated that he was happy staying with Napoli.
“I have experienced very difficult moments, even private ones, but Napoli has always been close to me and that is one of the reasons I am here. I’m happy, I’m in a beautiful city and a wonderful club,” Osimhen told Correre dello Sport.
“Naples is one of the best places to be a footballer: [Diego] Maradona played here, the best ever, I consider it a privilege and a great honour to play in the stadium named after him. They are just rumours about the market: I’m fine here and I’ve never had such close relationships with everyone as at this moment.
“I spoke to the president, he is the one who decides, and he reassured me by explaining the club’s plans. I am happy with what he told me and the purchases are of quality: words were followed by deeds. I am very happy to play with Napoli and we will see in the future.”
