Not many strikers like Osimhen - Napoli icon tells Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi

Mikel Obi (left) spoke with Mertens to learn more about Victor Osimhen.

Not many strikers like Osimhen - Napoli icon tells Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 10:22 - 10.04.2025

Napoli legend Dries Mertens spoke to Nigerian icon Mikel Obi about Galatasaray teammate and friend Victor Osimhen on the latest episode of his podcast.

Napoli icon Dries Mertens recently sat down with Nigerian football legend Mikel Obi on his podcast, shedding light on his close bond with Galatasaray teammate and friend Victor Osimhen.

In a video snippet shared on Instagram by Mikel Obi, Mertens didn’t hold back in praising the Nigerian striker, with whom he forged a special connection during their time together at Napoli and now at Galatasaray.

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Mertens, who spent nine illustrious years with Napoli and became the club’s all-time leading scorer, knows a thing or two about top-tier talent.

Despite his remarkable legacy in Naples, he narrowly missed out on lifting the Serie A title with the club, a drought that ended 33 years later in 2023, led by his friend Osimhen after his departure.

Victor Osimhen and Dries Mertens have rolled back their Napoli days in Turkey.
Victor Osimhen and Dries Mertens have rolled back their Napoli days in Turkey.

Now reunited with Osimhen at Galatasaray, Mertens’ admiration for the 25-year-old forward underlines the Nigerian’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s premier strikers.

“He’s a fantastic player, top striker, and I think at this moment you don’t have many strikers like him,” Mertens said, reflecting on Osimhen’s rare quality in today’s game.

Dries Mertens believes Osimhen is a rare breed.

The Belgian veteran went on to highlight the shifting landscape of elite forwards, adding, “[Robert] Lewandowski is getting old, [Karim] Benzema is not here anymore, Victor is one of the top three strikers in the world on this moment.”

The heartfelt comments from Mertens not only reflect the duo’s strong personal and professional chemistry but also signal Osimhen’s rising status in a football world searching for its next great No. 9.

Where it started... Victor Osimhen and Dries Mertens Napoli.

Osimhen currently leads the Super Lig scorer’s chart with 20 goals in 23 matches for Galatasaray.