Victor Osimhen: Napoli coach underlines major similarity between Super Eagles star and Ronaldo

Napoli coach Rudi Garcia has stated that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is similar to Cristiano Ronaldo in the level of intensity and zeal that both players show on the pitch, Soccernet reports.

Osimhen has been one of the best players at Napoli for the last two seasons. The Nigerian was key to their Scudetto win last season, scoring a career-high 26 goals in 32 Serie A appearances.

His displays attracted interest from some top teams in Europe, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG all touted as potential destinations. However, Napoli have managed to keep him despite the interest from abroad.

Rudi Garcia just took over as Napoli’s new coach this summer after Luciano Spalletti left the club at the end of the season, and he has already been impressed by the 24-year-old.

The Super Eagles striker has scored two goals in three appearances so far in pre-season, and Garcia sees a bit of Ronaldo in him.

“Victor is a crazy driving force, as soon as you put a competition on the pitch he wants to win, he brings his team, a bit like Cristiano calls his team,” Garcia said per TuttoNapoli.

“He’s among the best center forwards in the world. I’ve read that other clubs wanted him. He is great in the attack, and he defends and presses like crazy.”

Napoli will begin their Serie A campaign with a game against Bologna on Saturday, and Garcia would hope that Osimhen leads them to victory.