Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been ranked in 8th position in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or award, Completesports.com rreports.
Osimhen becomes the highest ranked Nigerian player in the history of the Ballon d’Or award.
The record was initially held by Nwankwo Kanu who was ranked 11th in 1996.
Osimhen was ranked ahead the likes of Robert Lewandowski, current holder Karim Benzema, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Mohamed Salah in this year’s award.
The 24-year-old made history as the first Napoli player to make the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings.
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This is the best result ever for a Napoli player at the award, since Ruud Krol who held the previous record placed 15th in 1980.
Osimhen contributed to Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years becoming the 2022-23 top-scorer in the league with 26 goals in 32 appearances.
In the women’s category, Super Falcons and Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala finished in 20th position.
Meanwhile, Argentina 2022 World Cup winner Lionel Messi won his eight Ballon d’Or award on the night.
Messi beat Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to second and third place respectively.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or award, presented by France Football, took place at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.
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COMMENTS
Fantastical! I love this. Anything that puts our Nigeria’s image in the light, I will always appreciate. So a very big Gbosa for Osimhen. I sincerely hope he comes back from his present injury setback and the “little distraction” in Napoli to exceeding what he achieved last year.
Why was he not there? I was really looking out for him what the 20 best in female and male were called out.
…..when the 20 best …..
Going by the recent season apart from Mahrez, Hakimi and Salah. Osimhen should be the sure bet for African footballer of the year. Let’s see how CAF will vote this time around. For me winning the Scudetto for Napoli after 30 plus years and becoming the first African to win Serie A top scorer after players like Weah, Etoo including Salah have played in that league before.
Obviously, he hasn’t won anything with Nigeria apart from U17, but that should be in not too distance future if our current generation can play to their potentials for Nigeria. Me I feel if you’re the top African player in the Ballon D’Or ranking you should automatically win the APOY. His contributions for Napoli last season can not be ignored.
If by club contribution alone Haaland would have beaten Messi to it.
How are Alverez and Debrunye ranked ahead of Oosihmen