Does Osimhen Have An Attitude Problem Or Is It Just Pure Passion?
It’s a no-brainer that Victor Osimhen is one of the most talented strikers Nigeria has produced in decades.
From his record-breaking Scudetto season at Napoli to his relentless work rate for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Osimhen plays football with raw emotion, aggression, and an unfiltered desire to win.
However, alongside the goals and heroic performances, questions have repeatedly surfaced: Does Osimhen have an attitude problem, or is it simply the fire of a passionate competitor?
Throughout his career, Osimhen has worn his heart on his sleeve. Unlike many modern footballers who mask their emotions, Osimhen reacts instantly to situations on the pitch.
This has sometimes put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. At the club level, he has had visible disagreements with teammates and coaching staff, moments of frustration when substituted, and confrontations with opponents that border on reckless tackles.
At Napoli, he had an infamous public fallout with the club following a controversial social media post, and his occasional heated exchanges during matches painted a picture of a player who struggles to bottle up emotions when he feels disrespected or let down.
These traits have also shown up on the international stage. In the ongoing Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, Osimhen’s intensity is impossible to ignore.
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In the first group-stage match against Tanzania, his frustration with missed chances, refereeing decisions, and teammates’ positioning was evident through his body language and animated reactions after he was substituted in the second half.
More notably, in the round of 16 knockout game against Mozambique, there is a widely reported touchline altercation involving him and Ademola Lookman.
Osimhen was seen angrily confronting his teammate over a perceived lack of service or decision-making in a critical moment.
The incident sparked debates among fans and pundits, with some branding his behavior as unprofessional, while others defended him as a leader desperate to push the team forward.
This was not an isolated incident. Osimhen has clashed verbally with defenders, argued with teammates over missed passes, and aggressively demanded higher standards during games.
To critics, these moments suggest an attitude problem, an inability to manage emotions under pressure. To supporters, however, this shows a player who refuses mediocrity and holds himself and others accountable at the highest level.
The key question is not whether Osimhen is emotional, because he clearly is, but whether that emotion harms or helps the team.
Passion, when uncontrolled, can disrupt team harmony, distract focus, and hand opponents a psychological advantage.
But when properly managed, it can become a powerful leadership tool. Osimhen’s intensity stems from hunger, ambition, and a deep sense of responsibility.
He wants to win at all costs, especially when wearing the green and white of Nigeria.
For the Super Eagles, managing Osimhen’s temperament is crucial because he is simply too important to lose to internal friction.
Coaches and team leaders must channel his passion constructively. Clear communication on the pitch, defined leadership roles, and strong man-management from the technical crew can go a long way.
Senior players and Wilfred Ndidi, who is the captain of the team, should act as buffers during tense moments, calming situations before they escalate.
Off the pitch, sports psychologists and mentorship can help Osimhen develop better emotional control without dulling his competitive edge.
Osimhen himself also has a role to play. Maturity often comes with experience, and learning when to speak, when to let things go, and how to lead by example rather than confrontation will elevate him from a great striker to a true national icon.
Nigeria does not need a muted Osimhen; it needs a smarter, more controlled version of him.
In the end, Victor Osimhen does not suffer from a lack of discipline born out of arrogance, but from an excess of passion.
If properly managed, that fire can continue to fuel Nigeria’s success on the biggest stages. If left unchecked, it risks overshadowing his brilliance.
The challenge for the Super Eagles is to strike that balance, because when Osimhen’s passion and purpose align, Nigeria is a far more dangerous team.
