Nigerian Players Abroad: Osimhen Nominated For Ballon d'Or Award

Nigerian Players Abroad: Osimhen Nominated For Ballon d'Or Award 

By Emmanuel Chinedu 

Super Eagles and Napoil forward, Victor Osimhen, have been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

The Napoli striker becomes the first male Nigerian footballer to receive a nomination since 1999. The lanky striker propelled Napoli to a first league crown since 1990, scoring a good number of goals and winning the Capocannoniere.

The 24-year-old joins Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Julian Alvarez, Jude Bellingham, Nicolo Barella, Karim Benzema, Yassine Bono, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Antoine Griezmann, Ilkay Gundogan, Josko Gvardiol and Harry Kane on the shortlist.

Randal Kolo Muani, Robert Lewandowski, Emiliano Martinez, Lautaro Martinez, Kim Min-Jae, Luka Modric, Jamal Musiala, Martin Odegaard, Andre Onana, Rodri, Bukayo Saka, Mohamed Salah, Bernardo Silva and Vinicius Junior.

The winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award will be announced in a ceremony in Paris on October 30th.