Napoli striker Victor Osimhen breaks Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo record in his 197th game
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has scored 100 career goals faster than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to name just a few.
The 24-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions for Serie A leaders Napoli this season, found the net in their 2-0 win over Sassuolo on Friday night.
And that brilliant first-half strike against Alessio Dionisi's side was a momentous one for the Nigerian striker as he continues to be linked with big money move away from Gli Azzurri.
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After his goal against Sassuolo, the in-form Osimhen could officially celebrate a century of goals in his 197-game career so far.
To put that record into perspective, former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th goal after 301 games, while seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi netted his century after 210 games.
Osimhen made his professional career at Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg in 2017, and soon enjoyed a loan spell at Belgian side Charleroi, where he scored 12 goals in 25 games.
He then flourished in Ligue 1 with Lille before establishing himself as one world football's deadliest strikers at high-flying Napoli.
Games taken to reach 100 goals:
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) February 17, 2023
Osimhen - 197
Messi - 210
Drogba - 236
Ibrahimovic - 245
Ronaldo - 301
Moving like a legend ✨ pic.twitter.com/gF1ZIE2wLG
So who has reached 100 goals quicker than Osimhen?
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe managed to bag a century of goals in 180 matches and unsurprisingly, a certain Erling Haaland scored 100 goals in just 142 games during spells at Molde, RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
It could be argued that Osimhen is in the same bracket as Mbappe and Haaland when it comes to goal scoring.
He's bagged in seven straight Serie A games for Napoli, who sit 18 points ahead of second place Inter Milan in the standings, and has 15 goals in 22 appearances for national side Nigeria.
Kids, this is why Osimhen is the Serie A top scorer right now 😤 pic.twitter.com/lOOsQCgeJh
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) February 18, 2023
Long time admirers Manchester United, meanwhile, have been told they would need to pay at least £89 million to land the Nigeria international, according to ESPN.
The price, however, may come as a boost to United fans who were originally informed that he would cost around £130 million, although competition from other top European clubs could increase the fee.
Thoughts on Osimhen's form of late? Do you think he would flourish in the Premier League?
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Victor Osimhen, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Napoli, Serie A
Jack Kenmare