'He's one of the best strikers in the world' - Barcelona star hails Osimhen ahead of UCL showdown in Spain 

Barcelona's Portugal international fullback João Cancelo has nothing but praise for Victor Osimhen ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League showdown between the La Liga giants and Napoli at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Spain.

The Champions League round of 16, second leg tie is beautifully poised after both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Diego Maradona Stadium.

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for the Blaugrana at the hour mark but Osimhen scored to salvage a draw for Napoli.

The Nigeria international restored parity fifteen minutes later when he turned his marker expertly and guided his low strike into the net.

Cancelo has labeled Osimhen and Matteo Politano as 'exceptional talents' and also singled out Piotr Zieliński and Stanislav Lobotka for praise. 

Asked if Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are scary, Cancelo told Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport via Il Napolista : "And Politano? They are exceptional talents, Osimhen scored with half the ball in the first leg, he is one of the best strikers in the world.

"But there's more: I like Zielinski who can't play because he's not on the list, and Lobotka, I faced him with Portugal and he's a great player."

Osimhen has found some consistency under new Napoli coach Francesco Calzona, scoring five goals in five appearances since his return from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: uefa.com

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