Napoli boss Rudi Garcia has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding star striker Victor Osimhen this week.
Following a recent on-pitch argument between them, the French manager has insisted that they have made up and that things have returned to normal, while also clearing the air about the social media video that went viral.
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Earlier this week, the Italian side uploaded a clip to TikTok in which the Nigerian star was seemingly mocked for missing a penalty during their Serie A clash with Bologna that ended in a goalless draw last weekend.
As a result, the player's agent released a statement saying the video caused Osimhen a degree of "suffering", adding that the duo "reserve the right to take legal action" against the club, while the player himself appeared to respond by taking all Napoli-related images on his Instagram account down.
The striker and Garcia were also seen having a go at one another after the Nigeria international was called to be substituted off in the abovementioned match, reportedly because Osimhen felt that two forwards were needed on the pitch as the side hunted for a goal.
However, following Napoli's 4-1 victory over Udinese in a Serie A encounter on Wednesday night, in which the Super Eagle scored, the manager has insisted his relationship with the player is good.
"In Bologna, we were all frustrated at not winning and he was even more after missing a penalty, so that can happen," Garcia said, as per the Metro.
"We cleared the air, it all went back to normal.
"Over the last two days, there was a bit of trouble with some clumsy behaviour. Nobody wanted to be hurtful, not the TikTok with the video of Victor, nor Victor by taking his photographs down on social media.
"All I can say is that he loves this jersey and will give everything for Napoli this season as well.
"I have had a very good rapport with Victor since the moment I arrived. I am happy because he scored a goal and centre-forwards always want to score goals."
Osimhen scored his fourth goal of the season in his side's clash with Udinese, and could have had another, but chose to give the penalty Napoli were awarded to Piotr Zielinski, who converted it successfully to open the scoring in the tie.
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"Technically, he provided an assist today, because I had named him as the penalty taker this evening," Garcia added.
"I do not take someone off penalty duties if they make a mistake, but he decided to give that assist to Zielinski."
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