Osimhen’s nomination came after a 24-year gap for Nigerian male footballers, while Oshoala continues to make waves as one of the finest female players on the world.
indepthnews reports on their magnificent journeys and exploits which led to this acknowledgement.
Victor Osimhen’s Extraordinary Journey
Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles forward, has become the first Nigerian male footballer in over two decades to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or award.
With an impressive tally of 17 goals in 25 international appearances, Osimhen’s nomination signifies a resurgence for Nigerian football at the highest level.
Osimhen joins the elite list of Nigerian footballers who have received Ballon d’Or nominations, including Finidi George, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu (who received two nominations), Victor Ikpeba, and Sunday Oliseh.
His nomination highlights his enviable contributions to both Napoli and the Nigerian national team.
Asisat Oshoala’s Exceptional Achievements
On the women’s front, Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or women’s player of the year award, marking her second successive nomination.
Oshoala’s journey to this recognition has been nothing short of exceptional.
Oshoala, who is also the reigning Africa women’s player of the year, had an outstanding season with FC Barcelona Femeni, scoring 21 goals in just 28 games and leading her team to the 2022/23 Spanish league title.
She was the top-scorer for the Spanish club with 27 goals in all competitions and played a crucial role in their triumph in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Moreover, Oshoala made history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand by becoming the first Nigerian and the first female African player to score at three different editions of the tournament.
Last year, she became the first African to be nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or and this time, she is the only African player listed in the women’s category.
Her contributions have been crucial in securing the Women’s African Cup of Nations three times for the Super Falcons.
Victor Osimhen’s Incredible Performance
Osimhen’s nomination for the 2023 Ballon d’Or men’s award comes as no surprise.
His remarkable form at Napoli, where he has scored an impressive 62 goals in 103 appearances, has made him one of the best players in Europe.
Last season, Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals, leading Napoli to their first Scudetto in over three decades.
He is not only the first African player to achieve this feat but also the highest-scoring African in the Italian top flight, surpassing the legendary Samuel Eto’o’s record.
Competing with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and a host of other European superstars, Osimhen’s nomination solidifies his status as the round leather superstar.
Lovers of football worldwide eagerly await the Ballon d’Or ceremony, set to take place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.
The winners of the Ballon d’Or 2023 will be unveiled on this esteemed day.
Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala’s nominations for the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards are a testament to their exceptional skills, dedication, and contributions to the world of football.
These duos have made Nigeria proud and continue to inspire future generations of footballers.
As the soccer world counts down to the ceremony, all eyes will be on Osimhen and Oshoala as they aim for the highest level of individual recognition in the sport of soccer.
