Most times, the Best meal is cooked and served in "Mama Put" not McDonald

Victor Osimhen and the European Snub: When Racism Hides Behind Packaging

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I don’t know about you, but me — I’ve been restless these past few weeks. My heart has been hot, not because of hunger or heartbreak, but because of how Europe — the football Europe that many of us grew up worshipping — is treating our own Victor Osimhen.

You know, here in Nigeria, when we see a white person, we light up. Even as children, we would wave, try to speak English we don’t even understand just to make them smile. In our culture, foreigners are welcomed with open arms. But tell me, how did it turn around that we — the welcoming ones — are now treated like second-class citizens in a game we’ve bled for?

Something is off, it's obvious. That's why I made this article.

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🧠 The Lie Behind the Numbers

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Some people will tell you Osimhen doesn’t deserve the €130 million Napoli is demanding. They say he’s “not consistent,” or “hasn’t done enough in Europe.” But wait — let’s check receipts.

2022/2023 Season: Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals and led Napoli to win their first Scudetto in 33 years.

First African to win Capocannoniere (top scorer award) in Italy.

UEFA Champions League: He helped Napoli reach the quarter-finals, their best ever.

Now ask yourself: if this was a white striker from Germany, England or even Sweden, would they still be hesitating?

Look at Rasmus Højlund. One season with just 9 Serie A goals, and Man United paid €75 million. Let that sink in. Osimhen scored nearly 3x more and still Europe is doing “we will see.”

Why?

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🔎 Racism Wears a Suit and Tie Now

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Let’s stop pretending. Racism in football didn’t die — it just changed dress code. It now hides under "scouting decisions," "market value," or "tactical fit."

Let me remind you of something:

• Didier Drogba

One of the greatest African strikers ever. Scored 164 goals for Chelsea and won everything. But did you know that before Chelsea signed him, many English pundits mocked his €38.5m fee from Marseille? After scoring in 9 finals, they still rated Torres and Shevchenko above him at times.

• Samuel Eto’o

Won back-to-back trebles with Barcelona and Inter. Scored in two Champions League finals. Yet Barcelona discarded him to sign Zlatan, and Inter was happy to let him leave for Anzhi at just 29. Zlatan flopped. Eto’o kept scoring. No respect.

• Mario Balotelli

Faced racist chants almost everywhere: Italy, England, even France. When white players act out, they say "passion." When Balotelli speaks, they say “bad attitude.”

• Romelu Lukaku

Despite scoring 100+ Premier League goals, he's still doubted. When he spoke out against racism in Italy, some said he was “exaggerating.”

• Kalidou Koulibaly

In 2018, during a game vs Inter Milan, fans made monkey chants. He was red carded after being racially abused. The punishment? A two-game stadium ban — like that changes anything. Later, when he joined Chelsea, they hyped his signing, but quietly sold him off to Saudi without much talk. Just another black man moved around like an asset.

These are not accidents. These are patterns.

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🍲 The Sweetest meal Isn’t Always in Big Restaurants

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Let me say something from my heart — not all that glitters is football gold. The Premier League is overhyped. They carry themselves like kings, but they forget: sometimes, the soup cooked in a so-called “mama put” restaurant tastes sweeter than the one in a five-star hotel. The difference? Packaging.

They brand the Premier League like it’s heaven. But on the pitch, we’ve seen small leagues humble their stars.

Proof?

2023/24 Champions League: Manchester United lost twice to Galatasaray. I must really appreciate Galatasaray for giving Osimhen that chance to proof again that most times, the best soup is cooked and served in the restaurant not eateries.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea (2022) – Zagreb beat them 1-0, cost Tuchel his job.

Sheriff Tiraspol vs Real Madrid (2021) – Sheriff, a Moldovan club, defeated 13-time champions in their own stadium.

And when Osimhen’s Napoli faced Liverpool in 2022, they didn’t just win — they destroyed them 4-1. Osimhen even won a penalty in that match before coming off injured.

So please, what are we hyping? Hype no dey win match.

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💔 They Want His Legs, But Not His Voice

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Osimhen is not just a striker. He’s a symbol of African excellence. But that’s also what scares them.

He talks back. He believes in himself. He won't let you reduce him to "pace and power."

Some clubs are afraid to sign a black man who knows his worth. They want players who keep quiet, smile for the cameras, and move on. But Osimhen? He’s built different. And I love him for that.

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❤️ Me, I Just Want Him to Be Happy

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Now that he’s going to Galatasaray — I’m even more relieved. Not because it’s a small move. No. But because I care about his happiness more than your elite leagues.

Let him shine where he’s loved.

Let him destroy nets in Turkey.

Let him remind Europe that when you snub excellence because of color, you only expose your own insecurity.

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⚽ The Goal is the Answer

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I’ve seen this story before. Doubt the African. Let the white guy shine. Then years later, you’ll act surprised when he proves you wrong.

Osimhen is not here to beg for attention. His goals will speak.

They said Drogba was a waste — until he won them the Champions League.

They mocked Eto’o — until he became a legend in three clubs.

They doubted Salah — until he became a Premier League and UCL champion.

Now they’re doubting Osimhen.

Let the soup cook. The smell go soon reach una nose.

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Written by:
Aniekeme aka Deportal
– A Nigerian voice tired of the lies but still full of hope.

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