Rafael Benitez laments Victor Osimhen's World Cup absence
Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Napoli manager Rafael Benítez has expressed regret over the absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing him as one of the elite attacking talents the tournament will be without.
Osimhen will not feature at the global football spectacle after Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament, which is being jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico. The Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the Mundial were dashed following an underwhelming qualification campaign that ended before the decisive stages.
Now playing for Galatasaray, Osimhen is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most prolific forwards and a key figure in the continent’s football landscape. Despite his impressive club achievements, the striker is yet to make a FIFA World Cup appearance, having also missed out when Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez named Osimhen among several top players whose absence would diminish the quality and excitement of the World Cup.
“Too easy: Kvaratskhelia, first and foremost,” Benitez said.
“And then Osimhen too, and not just because Napoli holds a special place in my heart. But I must also add Zieliński and Lewandowski, one of the greatest ever.”
The veteran Spanish tactician’s remarks reflect the immense respect Osimhen commands across European football. Since emerging as one of the game’s leading strikers, the Nigerian international has earned admiration for his pace, power and clinical finishing, attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Benitez also weighed in on the race for World Cup glory, identifying France and Spain as leading contenders for the title due to the depth and quality within their squads.
The former Champions League winning coach highlighted France’s wealth of attacking options and praised Spain’s exciting young generation spearheaded by Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
He also tipped England and Germany as strong challengers for football’s biggest prize.
As the tournament unfolds, Benitez believes the absence of stars such as Osimhen serves as a reminder of how unforgiving World Cup qualification can be, with even some of the world’s finest players left watching from the sidelines.
For Nigerian supporters, Osimhen’s absence remains a painful reminder of a missed opportunity, with one of the nation’s brightest football talents unable to showcase his abilities on the sport’s grandest stage.
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