Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray Copyright: ImagoxDavidxBlunsden
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has revealed the toughest defenders he has faced in the course of his career, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old striker has enjoyed a successful career across several top European leagues, playing in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and now Turkey and he has faced a number of elite defenders along the way.
Osimhen played a key role in helping Napoli end their 33-year wait for the Serie A title during the 2022-23 season. He finished as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals, won the Best Striker award, and was named in the Serie A Team of the Season.
Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen vs Liverpool. Copyright: IMAGO
Soccer Osimhen names Calvin Bassey and Cristian Romero as most difficult defenders
Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards, but despite that, some defenders have made life difficult for him on the pitch.
One of those players is Super Eagles teammate Calvin Bassey, who has been a regular for Nigeria since 2022 and won both bronze and silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations alongside Osimhen.
Super Eagles star Calvin Bassey. Photo by Segun Ogunfeyitimi Copyright: xshengolpixsxIMAGO
Speaking during an interview with River Rhodes, Osimhen praised the Fulham defender’s strength and quality.
“I’ll say Calvin Bassey. First of all, in training. That guy is very strong, really very strong. I think currently now he’s actually the best defender in Africa and of course one of the best defenders in the Premier League”, Osimhen said, as shared on Instagram.
The Galatasaray striker also identified Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero as another player who proved difficult to play against.
Osimhen faced Romero three times during the 2020-21 Serie A season when he played for Napoli and the Argentine represented Atalanta.
Although the Nigerian striker scored in Napoli’s 4-1 victory over Atalanta in October 2020, he struggled to find the net in later meetings and was even forced off after a collision with Romero during Napoli’s 4-2 defeat in February 2021.
Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur tussles with Lyle Foster of Burnley for the ball. Copyright: Imago
“Also, Romero of Spurs – he’s actually a very intelligent defender. He gave me a hard time when we met. I think I’ve faced a couple of world class defenders, but I think the hardest is those two that I mentioned when I talk about the very best I’ve played with.”
Soccer Victor Osimhen makes history at Galatasaray
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has become a fan favourite since his arrival at Galatasaray, given his impressive performances and strong connection with the supporters.
He scored a brace in last weekend’s win over Antalyaspor which took his tally to 22 goals for the season and helped Galatasaray secure another Super Lig crown.
The title also saw Osimhen equal former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo as the Nigerian player with the most Turkish league titles.
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray and his daughter celebrates the end of the match with the fans. Copyright: xBurakxBasturkxImago
The former Napoli forward has attracted interest from several top European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window. Although he will miss Galatasaray’s final game of the season through suspension due to yellow card accumulation, the Turkish champions are determined to keep him at the club.
Despite the growing transfer speculation, a final decision on Osimhen’s future is expected in the coming weeks.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.
Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin
Three minutes. That’s all it took for US defender Auston Trusty to find the net against Turkey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring his first goal for the national team on the sport’s biggest stage. Coach Mauricio Pochettino ran to embrace Trusty on the sidelines, planting a kiss on the defender’s head in a
The Netherlands cruised past Tunisia 3-1 on June 25, topping Group F with seven points and booking a round of 32 clash against Morocco in Monterrey on Monday. But the real story for crypto watchers isn’t what happened on the pitch. It’s what happened on-chain. Polymarket, the prediction market platform that has become the de
IBM on Thursday unveiled the world’s first sub-1 nanometer chip technology, a research prototype at the 0.7 nanometer node that packs nearly 100 billion transistors onto a chip the size of a fingernail. Key Takeaways IBM’s nanostack chip at the 0.7 nm node packs nearly 100 billion transistors, nearly 2x the density of IBM’s 2021
If you’re looking to start a business without breaking the bank, there are numerous free franchise opportunities available. You can consider in-home child care, pet care services, or even cleaning startups, all requiring minimal investment and offering flexible schedules. Each option allows you to build client relationships and utilize effective marketing strategies. Ready to explore
Three minutes. That’s all it took for US defender Auston Trusty to find the net against Turkey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring his first goal for the national team on the sport’s biggest stage. Coach Mauricio Pochettino ran to embrace Trusty on the sidelines, planting a kiss on the defender’s head in a
The Netherlands cruised past Tunisia 3-1 on June 25, topping Group F with seven points and booking a round of 32 clash against Morocco in Monterrey on Monday. But the real story for crypto watchers isn’t what happened on the pitch. It’s what happened on-chain. Polymarket, the prediction market platform that has become the de
IBM on Thursday unveiled the world’s first sub-1 nanometer chip technology, a research prototype at the 0.7 nanometer node that packs nearly 100 billion transistors onto a chip the size of a fingernail. Key Takeaways IBM’s nanostack chip at the 0.7 nm node packs nearly 100 billion transistors, nearly 2x the density of IBM’s 2021
If you’re looking to start a business without breaking the bank, there are numerous free franchise opportunities available. You can consider in-home child care, pet care services, or even cleaning startups, all requiring minimal investment and offering flexible schedules. Each option allows you to build client relationships and utilize effective marketing strategies. Ready to explore
When you’re considering a business loan, several key factors will influence the lending rates you encounter. Your creditworthiness plays a significant role, as lenders assess your financial stability through credit scores and history. Market conditions, including economic trends and central bank policies, likewise impact rates. Furthermore, the amount you wish to borrow and the collateral
Business Insurance-AZ achieves milestone response speeds for commercial construction bids across Arizona, accelerating documentation delivery to keep local projects moving forward without delay. Phoenix, AZ, June 06-2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Business Insurance-AZ has achieved record-breaking processing speeds and response times for commercial construction bids throughout Arizona, directly supporting the state’s massive infrastructure and advanced manufacturing boom
Astana, Kazakhstan, Jun 2, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - A business delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), began its visit to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on 1 June. During the visit, a total of 43
Real business trips almost never go the way the itinerary promised. They start with a confidently-packed suitcase and an eight-page agenda, and somewhere between the airport gate and the hotel breakfast they quietly turn into something nobody could have invented — equal parts comedy, chaos, and unscheduled adventure. These 13 real business trip moments are exactly that kind of work-trip plot
