Napoli denies sanctioning doll portraying Victor Osimhen features

Italian club Napoli have denied approving  a doll ‘Cicciobello Bomber’ that bears striker Victor Osimhen’s resemblance.

“With reference to the news, which appeared on numerous online information sites, relating to the imminent marketing of a children’s game called “Cicciobello Bomber” — a doll that reproduces the features of the player Victor Osimhen portrayed wearing a uniform clearly referable to the shirt from the Club’s first team – the SSCN specifies that this is an unofficial product, the creation of which has not been authorised in any way by the Club,” the club said in a statement on Thursday.

‘Cicciobello’ is a line of Italian dolls created by Sebino Bambole and Fabricio Gómez, also known as “Chicho,” and distributed by Giochi Preziosi.

From one controversy to the other

This development comes just days after a demeaning video was released on Napoli’s TikTok account. The video, clearly making a mockery of the Nigerian striker, generated heated disapproval by social media users.

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The controversy generated from the TikTok video incident led to the resignation of Napoli’s social media manager, Alessio Fortino.

Since the TikTok situation that mocked him for missing a penalty, Osimhen has not taken any of the penalties Napoli have been awarded. It is now widely believed across various Italian quarters that the 24-year-old has opted to relieve himself of penalty-taking duties.

Osimhen has scored five goals in nine games for the Naples club in the current season.

With his current contract with Napoli set to expire in 2025, discussions are ongoing between the player and the club.

The 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup winner presently earns $111,000 a week.

Saudi Arabian outfit, Al-Hilal submitted an offer of $147 million for the services of Osimhen during the last transfer window. The club also offered a whooping $1 million weekly wage to the Nigerian forward.