Victor Osimhen: Red Hot Napoli Striker Insists Maradona Is 'God'

• Victor Osimhen has paid glowing tributes to the legendary Diego Maradona
• The late Argentina maestro played for Napoli from 1984 to 1991
• Osimhen insists playing for Napoli is honouring Maradona

Nigeria and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has thrown light on the influence the legendary Diego Maradona has on the Italian club.

Maradona, who passed away on November 25, 2020, led the Naples-based club through their golden era, helping the Partenopei win two Serie A titles, UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana.

The Argentina legend has been immortalized in different forms in the city of Naples with the most recent being the rechristening of Napoli's home venue to Stadio Diego Maradona.

When asked about the influence of Maradona on the club, the red-hot forward has now revealed how the late attacker inspires him, the fans, and the club at large.

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Maradona won the 1985 Serie A's player of the year and managed to finish as Coppa Italia's top scorer in the 1987/88 season.

"I saw the Argentinian party in the streets and squares of Naples: impressive. I don't even know what Maradona was for Naples, but calling him a god is not an exaggeration," Osimhen told Napoli Magazine via GOAL.

The 23-year-old striker, who has bagged 9 goals in the Serie A this season, insists playing for Napoli is honouring Maradona.

"But it is also for this club, for this team. Playing for Napoli also means honouring his name: it's a pleasure, a source of pride.

Osimhen, who is hoping to win the Serie A this season, implies Maradona's spirit lives on.

"We also want to win to pay homage to his memory, he did so much for this city and for this team and it's nice to see his images everywhere around, the murals, the little altars. Here Maradona exists forever."

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Why Maradona is Argentina's GOAT

Lionel Messi's World Cup glory in Qatar is still not enough for him to eclipse Diego Maradona as Argentina's greatest-ever footballer, according to Javier Zanetti.

Messi was pivotal in Argentina's World Cup campaign as he scored seven goals during the tournament.

While the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's display in the Middle East has secured his spot as the greatest footballer in history in the eyes of many, Zanetti believes the Paris Saint-Germain star is yet to surpass Maradona as Argentina's greatest of all time.

Messi and Maradona comparisons

Sports Brief earlier reported that Argentine football legend Jorge Valdano has compared Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup success to Lionel Messi's recent Mundial achievement.

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a sensational World Cup victory, beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties after an enthralling 3-3 draw across 120 minutes.

Messi's encounter with destiny brought Argentina's 36-year wait for World Cup glory, drawing similarities with Diego Maradona's feat with Argentina in 1986.