Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, both forwards from Nigeria, have been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
First Nigerian to be considered for the award in 24 years is Osimhen. While his fellow compatriot Asisat Oshoala was among the nominees for the award’s women’s category, Kanu Nwankwo was the last to accomplish that achievement. The Barcelona Femeni star, who made history last year as the first African to make the list, has now achieved two consecutive victories.
Both Osimhen and Oshoala’s nominations were verified by the award’s organisers, French Football, on Wednesday night.
Osimhen outperformed Rafael Leao of AC Milan and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan by scoring 25 league goals last season, winning the award for the Best Player.
Oshoala, 28, tied for the leading scorer in Spain with 21 goals in the domestic league. After her heroics, she played for the Super Falcons in the round of 16 at the recently finished Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
