Victor Osimhen has moved to shut down talk of a rift with Luciano Spalletti on the day their paths cross again, with Galatasaray hosting Juventus in the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg in Istanbul.
The timing is the point. A two-leg tie strips away noise quickly, and any hint of distrust—real or imagined—gets magnified when margins are thin. Osimhen’s message was straightforward: there was no falling-out, only respect.
Their shared past gives the reunion extra edge. At Napoli, Osimhen was a central figure in the 2022–23 Serie A title run, and his scoring record under Spalletti remains a key part of his profile.
Some of the surrounding story remains unverified. Reports have claimed Spalletti once slept at the training ground; that has not been confirmed. Separate reports suggested Juventus tried to sound out Osimhen in 2024 via former director Cristiano Giuntoli, while another allegation about mistreatment at Napoli has also been reported without confirmation.
Now the talk pauses. The first leg will show what still holds up when the whistle goes.
