Serie A disrespect of Nigerian stars: A pattern of undermining talent

The Italian Serie A has long been a stage for some of football’s brightest talents, yet a troubling pattern has emerged in the treatment of its Nigerian stars. The cases of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, two of Africa’s most celebrated players, expose a systemic issue of disrespect and mismanagement by Italian clubs. From public criticism to botched transfer sagas, Napoli and Atalanta’s handling of these players reveals a deeper problem in how Serie A clubs value and treat African talent. This critique argues that the mistreatment of Lookman and Osimhen is not just a series of isolated incidents but a reflection of a broader culture of insensitivity that demands reform.

The Osimhen saga: From hero to outcast

Victor Osimhen’s journey at Napoli is a case study in how quickly a club can turn on its own hero. In 2022/23, Osimhen delivered 26 goals to end Napoli’s 33-year Scudetto drought, earning the Serie A top scorer title and the 2023 African Footballer of the Year award. His impact was undeniable, yet the club’s actions in the years that followed painted a different picture. In September 2023, Napoli posted a TikTok video mocking Osimhen for a missed penalty, a move that sparked outrage and forced a public apology. The incident was not a one-off but a prelude to a drawn-out transfer saga that saw Napoli freeze Osimhen out, push for a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, and complicate negotiations with European giants like Chelsea, Manchester United, and PSG by demanding an exorbitant €130 million release clause.

By August 2025, Osimhen secured a €75 million permanent move to Galatasaray, where he shattered records with 37 goals in a single season, including 26 in the Turkish Super Lig. Yet Napoli’s handling of his exit was anything but graceful. The club inserted clauses to receive 10% of any future transfer profit and reportedly barred Galatasaray from selling him to a rival Italian club, moves described by legendary agent Antonio Caliendo as treating Osimhen like a “discarded shoe.” This petty vindictiveness underscores a lack of appreciation for a player who brought Napoli historic success. The club’s actions suggest that Osimhen’s contributions were secondary to their desire to control his narrative, a pattern that reeks of disrespect and raises questions about cultural biases in how African players are managed.

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Lookman’s plight: From Europa League hero to scapegoat

Ademola Lookman’s experience at Atalanta mirrors Osimhen’s in its betrayal of trust. In 2024, Lookman etched his name in history by scoring a hat-trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen, ending their 51-game unbeaten streak and securing the club’s first-ever European trophy. His 21 goal contributions in 26 games during the 2023/24 season, including nine goals and five assists in Serie A, earned him the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award. Yet, despite these heroics, Atalanta’s treatment of Lookman has been marred by public criticism and transfer disputes.

In February 2025, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini labeled Lookman “one of the worst penalty takers I have ever seen” after a missed penalty in a 3-1 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge. Lookman, who had just returned from a six-match injury layoff and scored within 34 seconds of entering the game, was following instructions from the designated penalty taker. His emotional response highlighted the sting of being singled out: “Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in.” Gasperini’s remarks were not just tactless but indicative of a tendency to scapegoat African players during moments of failure, a dynamic that echoes the broader marginalization of players like Paul Pogba and Vinicius Jr. in European football.

The disrespect extended to Lookman’s transfer aspirations. Despite agreeing personal terms with Inter Milan for a reported €45 million move, Atalanta rejected the offer, demanding €50 million. Lookman’s frustration led him to wipe Atalanta-related content from his social media, signaling a breakdown in relations. The club’s rigid stance, despite Lookman’s desire to leave and their policy of one major sale per year, reflects a lack of player autonomy and a prioritization of profit over personal respect.

A broader pattern: Systemic issues in Serie A

The treatment of Osimhen and Lookman is not an anomaly but part of a concerning trend in Serie A. Both players, despite their continental accolades and transformative contributions, faced public undermining and inflexible transfer negotiations. Former Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, now at Serie D’s Avezzano, drew parallels between the two cases, urging Osimhen and Lookman not to tolerate such disrespect. He noted that Napoli’s TikTok incident and Atalanta’s penalty criticism were strikingly similar in their public shaming of Nigerian stars for minor errors. This pattern suggests that Serie A clubs may view African players as expendable assets, valued for their performances but not their dignity.

Critics argue that this reflects deeper biases in European football. A 2024 Sky Sports flyer honoring Atalanta’s Europa League win omitted Lookman, the final’s sole scorer, prompting accusations of “racial erasure.” Similarly, a football analyst’s claim that Nigerian players like Osimhen and Lookman lack ambition after achieving financial stability ignores the systemic barriers they face, such as inflated transfer fees and cultural insensitivity. These incidents point to an unwritten rule in European football: African players are often denied the heroic narrative afforded to their European counterparts.

The counterargument: Business or Bias?

Defenders of Serie A clubs might argue that their actions are driven by business, not bias. Napoli’s high valuation of Osimhen and Atalanta’s firm stance on Lookman’s transfer fee could be seen as protecting financial interests in a competitive market. Sell-on clauses and restrictions on transfers to rivals, as in Osimhen’s case, are standard practice. Atalanta’s decision to retain Lookman after selling Matteo Retegui aligns with their one-sale-per-year strategy. Moreover, Gasperini’s criticism, while harsh, could be framed as a coach’s frustration in a high-stakes moment, not a personal attack.

However, this argument falters when viewed against the players’ contributions and the manner of their treatment. Osimhen and Lookman were not just assets but transformative figures who delivered historic success. Napoli’s public mockery and Atalanta’s scapegoating of Lookman for a penalty miss, while ignoring his broader impact go beyond business decisions. They reflect a lack of empathy and respect that seems disproportionately directed at African players. The contrast with European stars like Kevin De Bruyne or Kylian Mbappe, whose mistakes are rarely met with such public vitriol, highlights a double standard.

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Final take

The cases of Osimhen and Lookman should serve as a wake-up call for Serie A and European football at large. Nigerian players, and African stars broadly, deserve better than to be reduced to scapegoats or bargaining chips. Clubs must adopt clear communication protocols, respect player autonomy in transfer decisions, and foster environments where criticism is constructive, not personal. Agents representing African players should insist on contracts with protections against public shaming and clauses ensuring fair treatment.

Serie A has benefited immensely from Nigerian talent, from Rashidi Yekini to Nwankwo Kanu to Osimhen and Lookman. Yet, the league risks alienating future stars if it continues to undervalue their contributions. The stories of Osimhen and Lookman are cautionary tales, not just for Nigerian players but for any young talent considering Serie A. Performance alone does not guarantee respect; it’s time for Italian clubs to recognize the human spirit behind the goals and trophies and treat their stars with the dignity they’ve earned.