Ballon d’Or: Osimhen makes Nigeria and Napoli history, Oshoala ranked 20th

Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen made history as the first Nigerian and Napoli player to make the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Osimhen achieved this milestone by ranking eighth in the 30-man list of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.

The awards ceremony, which took place in Paris, France on Monday, was won by Inter Miami and Argentina forward Lionel Messi for a record eight times.

The Nigerian forward secured the eighth position following his stellar performance last season, during which he scored 26 goals for Napoli and led the Italian side to their first league title in more than three decades.

Osimhen has now surpassed former Super Eagle and Arsenal star, Nwankwo Kanu, who previously held the record for the highest-ranking Nigerian at the Ballon d’Or when he secured 14 votes during the 1996 edition.

He has also joined an exclusive list that includes Kanu, Finidi George, and Victor Ikpeba.

The Nigeria international significantly 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. Napoli also reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season, the best result for the Partenopei in Europe’s elite competition.

Osimhen netted five times in six Champions League games last season and individual achievements, combined with Napoli’s results have allowed the 24-year-old to earn a spot in the top 10 of this year’s Ballon d’Or.

This is the best result ever for a Napoli player, given that the previous record belonged to Ruud Krol, who ended 15th in 1980.

Also, Barcelona Femeni forward Asisat Oshoala ranks 20th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

Oshoala previously ranked 16th in the 2022 Ballon d’Or award, and despite her performance in 2023, falls to 20th position

Oshoala has secured the 20th spot in the Ballon d’Or rankings due to her outstanding performances with Barcelona, where she clinched both the Champions League and the Spanish League.

Oshoala was a vital part of the Nigerian squad that competed in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, gaining global recognition for their impressive showing at the tournament.

This year marked the second consecutive nomination for Oshoala, emphasizing her consistency and excellence in the game of women’s football.

Despite grappling with injuries, the five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year had a remarkable individual season. She netted 21 goals in the league and added five in the Champions League.

Oshoala shares the Ballon d’Or ranking with several of her Barcelona teammates, including Mapi Leon, Patri Guijaro, Fridolina Rolfo, Salma Paralluelo, and the ultimate winner, Aitana Bonmati.