Eighth place Victor Osimhen set new standard for Nigeria in 2023 Ballon d'or

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Victor Osimhen has become the highest ranked Nigerian in the Ballon d'or history having finished eighth in the 2023 edition of the award.

Napoli striker Osimhen broke the long standing achievement of Kanu Nwankwo, who finished 11th in the Ballon d'or ranking at the age of 20 in 1996 for performance with Ajax and Nigeria.

Osimhen 24, won the Capocannoniere last season having scored 26 goals to finish top scorer in the Seri A while leading Napoli to a first Scudetto success in 33years.

He also helped the club reach a first-ever UEFA Champions League quarter finals while also finishing top scorer in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with ten goals, doubling the tally of the next player in the list.

Osimhen became the eighth Nigerian to be nominated for the prestigious award that celebrates individual brilliance, when his name was included in the 30 man shortlist released in September. He comes after 

• Finidi George (1995)

• Daniel Amokachi (1995)

• Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (1995)

• Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999)

• Victor Ikpeba (1997)

• Sunday Oliseh (1998)

• Asisat Oshoala (2022, 2023)

• Victor Osimhen (2023)

A massive achievement for the striker and a huge congratulations to himself and his Napoli teammate and partner in crime Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who also finished 17th in the pool.


Hassan Afolabi

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