Liberian President, George Weah ask Victor Osimhen not to leave Napoli this summer

 

George Weah, the President of Liberia and the only African to win the Ballon d’Or, has sent a congratulatory message to Victor Osimhen after the Nigerian guided Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years and broke the Liberian’s Serie A goals record. He also suggested that Osimhen should remain in Italy, shatter more records, and win the Ballon d’Or.

Weah’s record was smashed by Osimhen after the Napoli forward scored in his side’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina last Sunday.

On Monday, Osimhen, who is on the radar of a number of top European teams, took to Twitter to express his delight at breaking Weah’s record of highest-scoring African player in the Italian topflight.

In response to the message, the 56-year-old Weah, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 during his time at AC Milan, urged the 24-year-old Osimhen not to rest on his oars.

“My heartfelt congratulations to you, Victor Osimhen! I am very glad that you have accomplished a major milestone in your football career, after scoring your 47th goal in the Italian Serie A league,” 

Weah wrote on his verified Facebook page.

“The records show that with this goal, which you netted on Sunday, May 7, 2023 when your team Napoli went against Fiorentina, effectively makes you the African with the highest scoring record in the Italian Serie A league – surpassing my own account of 46 goals.

“I am so proud of your exploits and congratulate you on this remarkable achievement, which is a result of your hard work, dedication and tenacity. I am also pleased with your kind words of honour in tribute to me, upon reaching such a giant milestone.

“However, I want to admonish you not to be content. There are many more of my records for you to break. I wish you to go on to achieve greater success.

“I watched your goal against Udinese when your 52nd minute header won the Scudetto for Napoli. Your movement, your passion, your determination and hunger brought back many memories to me. I wait for your 100th goal in all competitions in Italy, so that you can celebrate (but don’t remove your shirt like I did or you will get a yellow card).

“You have won one Scudetto. Great! When I won my first Scudetto with Milan, I said to myself, ‘why one, why not two?’ I went on to win another Scudetto with Milan. I went on to win the Ballon D’or. So, why not two or more for you Victor?”

Weah added:

 “The sky is your limit. With your dedication, commitment, humility, hard work, you can conquer the world. Africa needs another world’s best. Africa needs another European Best. You Victor, can deliver that for us.

“The records that I set were meant not as a challenge, but as a motivation to you and other African players. We have the best of talents. You have to remain humble, tenacious and focused. Don’t be distracted.

“There are many great African players in European leagues. They are already up against the hurdles of playing against many odds in leagues and stadiums so far away from home which present challenges for them; so to beat the odds and climb to the top is worth our commendation.

“May you continue to surge forward. My prayers are with you.My blessings are also with you. I am rooting for you Victor.