Terem Moffi scored last weekend, snapping a streak of eight games without a goal, but the FC Lorient striker says he was never worried about his drought; rather, the Nigerian is more concerned about his team remaining in Ligue 1.
Moffi, 21, set French Ligue 1 alight when he scored in five consecutive games for the struggling club, the last of those goals being his late winner in a dramatic game against Paris Saint-Germain.
"I think that was the biggest goal of my career, scoring against PSG, who have played in the Champions League final, against players who I admire and who play so well," Moffi told ESPN.
"All the big names. So, yes, scoring against them in the 90th minute to win the game is the biggest goal of my career right now."
Moffi socred three more goals after that, one against Paris FC in the Coupe de France and a brace in a 2-2 Ligue 1 draw against Monaco, but he scored the last of those goals in February; the Nigerian then went eight games without a goal before his consolation against highflying Lens last Sunday, when he rose above everyone to head home from a corner in a 1-4 loss.
Moffi said he was never worried about scoring again despite his run of games without a goal, having been through a similar situation earlier in the season.
"I would say the biggest challenge was the first part of the season, where I went nine games without scoring a goal," Moffi told ESPN.
"It was really challenging. As a young striker, when you go so many games without scoring, you start overthinking and you tend to lose confidence. But I spoke to my dad, I spoke to my family, and they kept me going. They told me that when the goals start coming, it doesn't stop. So it was just a matter of patience."
Patience proved a virtue when he went on his run of goals from December to mid-February, and again as he went through another run of outs -- even as he was helping his team in other ways, including two assists during those eight games without a goal.
Having got himself back among the goals, Moffi is determined to keep scoring with a run of tough fixtures looming, commencing with an away game against Marseille this weekend.
"I am not disappointed about not scoring," Moffi said.
"But I feel like I have to do more; I have to be consistent on goalscoring, I have to work harder and create more scoring chances for myself."
Ultimately, however, his success is allied with the team's performance.
Lorient are 17th on the Ligue 1 ladder ahead of the fixture against sixth-placed Marseille; then they play Bordeaux, who are two places and four points above them. Angers, Lyon and Metz are also coming, huge games that could decide Lorient's league future, but Moffi says there is no reason to panic.
"We just have to stay positive, work hard, play as a team, and the results will come," Moffi said.
"We've got fixtures that will work in our favor if we stay positive, work hard, and play as a unit. Right now, the whole team is really motivated because our results in the past two months have been amazing. We have got points from some places that we did not think possible."
Moffi hopes a run of goals will see him called up to make his international debut for Nigeria after COVID-19 restrictions prevented him from honoring his first selection when the Super Eagles completed their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in March.
"I can't explain how excited I was when I saw my name the first time, but I am sure I am going to go crazy with happiness if given an opportunity like this to represent my country," Moffi said.
"Every player wants to represent their country. If I get the opportunity, I am going to give 110% and work my socks off to help the team, and I am sure it is going to be an amazing experience."