Nigerian football, Victor Osimhen, the star striker of Napoli and the Super Eagles, has been officially nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, marking the first time a Nigerian player has received this honor since 1999.
The 24-year-old Nigerian forward, currently showcasing his talents during the international break with the Super Eagles, will be vying for the highly coveted Ballon d’Or alongside some of football’s biggest names, including Lionel Messi, Bukayo Saka, Rodri, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric, and Erling Haaland.
Osimhen’s nomination is a historic moment for Nigerian football, with the last Nigerian nominee being Nwankwo Kanu in 1999, a year when the legendary Papilo secured his second African Footballer of the Year award.
Victor Osimhen’s stellar performance in the Italian Serie A last season undoubtedly significantly earned him this nomination.
He clinched the Capocannoniere award by netting an impressive twenty-six goals, leading Napoli to a Scudetto title for the first time in over thirty years.
Osimhen’s contribution to the club extended to the Champions League, where his five goals helped Napoli reach the quarter-finals, with the potential for further success if not for an unfortunate injury sidelining him in the first leg against Italian rivals, A.C. Milan.
However, the road to the Ballon d’Or is challenging, with stiff competition from the likes of seven-time winner Lionel Messi, who recently guided Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Erling Haaland, who enjoyed a stellar season with Manchester City, clinching a treble and scoring thirty-six Premier League goals, also poses a formidable challenge.
As football fans eagerly await the announcement of the Ballon d’Or winner, the nomination of Victor Osimhen is a source of pride for Nigerian football enthusiasts and a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work on the field.
Nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or @victorosimhen9 @sscnapoli @NGSuperEagles #ballondor pic.twitter.com/FkDOlclDE2
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 6, 2023
