Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has provided a fascinating glimpse into the uncompromising psychological makeup of his international colleague, Victor Osimhen. During a featured appearance on the Best Mode On podcast, Iwobi characterized the Napoli striker’s approach to the game as having a “sick” level of intensity, suggesting that Osimhen’s desperation for victory often pushes him to the absolute limit of competitive behavior.
The 25-year-old forward has already established himself as a premier global talent, a status backed by an impressive international record of 35 goals in 52 appearances for the Nigerian national team. According to Iwobi, this success is the direct result of a raw and tireless work ethic that remains consistent whether the striker is on the training pitch or the world’s biggest stages.
“Every time in training, he’s always getting hurt in training because he’s got to put his leg or his head into something that he shouldn’t do. He’s always been fighting,” Iwobi noted, highlighting the physical risks Osimhen takes daily. “I’m not surprised he is where he is right now. Some would say he’s not polished, he’s a bit raw, but Victor will create himself five chances a game, just himself, just from hard work and running.”
Iwobi further explained that Osimhen’s fierce determination is completely indifferent to the reputation of his opponents. Whether facing elite defenders or playing a casual game, the striker’s commitment to winning remains identical.
“He doesn’t care who you are. He doesn’t care if you’re [Virgil] van Dijk, if you’re a guy from non-league – no disrespect to non-league – he will fight. He will treat the game in the Champions League as if he’s playing with his brethrens,” Iwobi remarked. “He always wants to win, and that mentality is sick. It’s sick. Sometimes it can be over the top because in training, he would like to fight and make sure he’s winning. Then sometimes he cheats, and he knows he’s cheating just to win. But it’s just a sick mentality.”
This candid assessment sheds light on the internal engine driving one of football’s most feared attackers. While his methods may occasionally border on the extreme even in friendly sessions, Iwobi suggests it is precisely this obsessive refusal to lose that has propelled Osimhen to the pinnacle of the sport.
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