Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen has cleared the air regarding rumors of a strained relationship with his fellow countryman Ademola Lookman following Lookman’s recent victory at the 2024 CAF Awards. The speculation stemmed from Osimhen’s silence on social media after Lookman was named the winner of the prestigious award in Marrakech, Morocco. This win marked a historic achievement for Lookman, who triumphed over other top African talents like Achraf Hakimi and Serhou Guirassy.
Lookman’s success at the CAF Awards in December 2024 saw him succeed Osimhen, who won the coveted title the previous year. Osimhen’s victory came after a standout season with Napoli, where he played a key role in leading the club to a Serie A title. Given the significance of both players’ achievements, Lookman’s triumph over other African football stars made headlines, but it also led to some fans speculating about possible tension between the two Nigerian players.
The rumors were fueled by Osimhen’s lack of a public congratulatory message to Lookman on social media. Known for his active online presence, Osimhen’s silence sparked accusations of jealousy and animosity. Fans were quick to notice the absence of a public acknowledgment, questioning whether the two players were on bad terms. The speculation quickly gained traction, with some fans even suggesting that Osimhen was harboring ill feelings toward Lookman.
However, Osimhen swiftly addressed the rumors when a fan confronted him directly on X (formerly Twitter) about whether he had congratulated Lookman. In a candid response, Osimhen clarified that he had indeed congratulated Lookman, but did so privately. He shared the exact timing of the message to further dispel any doubts, explaining that his gesture of support was personal and not intended to be public.
Osimhen responded to the fan’s inquiry, saying, “Yes bro, since yesterday, immediately after my game, sent a text around 23:49 Turkish time. He go reply me soon, cos I know say message choke for him phone wella 😂.” His lighthearted and direct response aimed to put an end to the rumors by emphasizing that private congratulations and respect between teammates are just as important as public acknowledgments.
