Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has been cited by Udinese defender Jaka Bijol as the hardest striker he has encountered.
The Nigerian made life difficult for Bijol by scoring from a towering header as the Azzurri defeated Udinese 3-2 on November 12, Napoli’s final Serie A game before the World Cup break.
The defender still has vivid memories of that game, and when asked which striker was the hardest he had ever faced, he named Osimhen.
Jaka Bijol statement on Osimhen
“I had a difficult life in the last match against Napoli,” Bijol said during an interview with Chiamarsi Bomber.
“Oshimen is a really strong striker. He is fast and knows how to move well.”
Osimhen has received praise for being a complete striker with quick feet, a strong shot, and one of the best headers in the game.
All of these were on display on Sunday during Napoli’s 3-1 friendly victory over Crystal Palace. He displayed strength and composure before turning to volley home while being closely marked.
Osimhen had been in excellent form prior to the league’s break; despite missing three weeks of action due to an injury, he had scored nine goals in 11 games to lead the Serie A scoring charts.
Osimhen’s talent isn’t just being praised by Bijol; former AC Milan forward Filippo Inzaghi even asserted that he is currently the best player in the world in his position, surpassing France strikers Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud.
“If we think of Napoli, Osimhen is a true centre-forward,” said Inzaghi. “He attacks deep, and keeps the ball, Osimhen is probably the best right now, beyond Benzema, who, however, is less of an area centre forward, and perhaps than Giroud.”
When Napoli resumes league play on January 4 against Inter Milan, Osimhen will be looking to lead the team to victory.
