Victor Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, has mentioned that he’d choose to play in the MLS over the Saudi Pro League if they offered him the same deal. Osimhen, who is 24 years old, got a big offer from a Saudi team called Al Hilal this summer, but Napoli turned it down. In an interview on Twitch with Emiliano Viviano and former Italy player Mario Balotelli, Osimhen said, “I’m happy at Napoli.”
He explained, “Playing in Series A is really tough. It’s one of the hardest leagues when it comes to tactics and physical abilities.”
When asked whether he’d pick the MLS or the Saudi Pro League with the same conditions, Osimhen replied, “If everything was the same, I’d go to the MLS.” However, Osimhen also praised the Saudi Pro League.
Victor Osimhen would rather go to MLS than join the Saudi Pro League 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zzRkDCHX0u
— GOAL (@goal) October 26, 2023
Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January, the Saudi league has attracted some big names in soccer, including the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Brazilian player Neymar Jr.
Last summer, Saudi clubs spent almost $1 billion to get 94 foreign players from the major leagues in Europe.
Osimhen said, “They’re trying to make their league better, which is a good thing.”
“One of the greatest players ever, Ronaldo, went there. Because of his influence, they’ve attracted many talented players. So, they’re really making their league one of the best. I think they’re doing something amazing.”
Osimhen hasn’t decided on his future yet. Even though they’ve been talking about extending his contract for months, the Nigerian player hasn’t signed a new deal. His current contract is supposed to end in June 2025.
Napoli still hopes that Osimhen will sign a new contract, even though the club said he had “second thoughts” about staying after shaking hands on a deal on October 20.
Osimhen, who joined Napoli in the summer of 2020 from Lille, scored 31 goals last season, helping Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years.
Victor Osimhen reveals he would rather play in MLS than move to Saudi Pro League
— Iamtobextheking (@iamtobextheking) October 27, 2023
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has said he would rather play in MLS than in the Saudi Pro League if offered the "same conditions". He had a lucrative offer from Saudi side Al Hilal this summer that… pic.twitter.com/DVxnbIlp63
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