Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, secured the eighth position globally at the Ballon d’Or award ceremony held in France. This is a testament to Osimhen’s outstanding contributions on both the club and international stages. Last season with Napoli was nothing short of spectacular, with an impressive 31 goals in 39 appearances. Osimhen’s brilliance played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumphant return to the Scudetto throne after a 33-year hiatus. Furthermore, the Italian club reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals for the first time, a testament to their formidable performances.

On the international scene, Osimhen continued to dazzle, making significant contributions in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, despite Nigeria falling short of a World Cup berth. His remarkable year earned him a coveted nomination for the Ballon d’Or award, where he made history as the first Nigerian to break into the top ten. Notably, he outperformed fellow African contenders, including Mohamed Salah and Yassine Bounou.

Before tonight, the highest a Nigerian has ever ranked is 11th – Kanu Nwankwo in 1996.

Victor Osimhen enters history books with his 8th place finish tonight 💫 pic.twitter.com/dKlbovMrrs

— Bounce Sports (@bouncesports1) October 30, 2023

In contrast, Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala secured the 20th position in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Oshoala’s stellar performances with FC Barcelona, where she clinched both the Champions League and the Spanish League, propelled her to this well-deserved accolade. Her contributions extended to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where Nigeria’s Super Falcons left an indelible mark, reaching the Round of 16 while maintaining an unblemished record in regular play.

Asisat Oshoala ranks 20th in the women’s Ballon d’Or 🇳🇬#BallonDor pic.twitter.com/3OVyYOaHv9

— Bounce Sports (@bouncesports1) October 30, 2023

This year marks Oshoala’s second consecutive nomination, underlining her consistent excellence in the realm of women’s football. Despite grappling with injuries, the five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year delivered a remarkable individual season, recording an impressive tally of 21 goals in the league and an additional five in the Champions League.