Nigerian Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons’ Asisat Oshoala have been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
It is an exceptional first time that two Nigerian players have been nominated for this prestigious award in the same year.
Osimhen had a phenomenal season with Napoli during his last break; Thanks to this, the Neapolitan club won the first Serie A championship in over 30 years. The Nigerian finished the season as Italy’s top scorer with 26 goals, a feat never before achieved by an African player, and started the new campaign brilliantly with three goals in three games.
Osimhen’s exploits are not just down to his club as he has also done great things in the green and white colours of Nigeria, earning him a national honour bestowed on him by the government of Muhammadu Buhari.
Osimhen was a key player for the Super Eagles, helping them qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in one game. He is also the qualifying series’ top scorer; stressed his key role in the campaign.
Other contenders for the 2023 Ballon d’Or include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Halland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka,
Meanwhile, Oshoala has been in equally impressive form for years since Barcelona Femeni who she helped achieved a historic treble that culminated in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The 28-year-old, who scored 21 goals in 28 appearances for Barcelona last season, has also been fantastic for the Super Falcons national team.
Oshoala, despite her injuries, helped the Super Falcons reached the Round of 16 at the last World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
World Women’s Champion Aitana Bonmati, Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa and Colombian teenager Linda Caicedo were also on the nomination list alongside Oshoala.
Full list of Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees:
André Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia
Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool v Egypt
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid v England