Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award, becoming one of the few players from the country to have achieved the feat.
The Napoli striker was in impeccable form last season, helping the Italian side win their first Scudetto in 33 years.
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He is the first Nigerian to be nominated for the prize in 24 years. Kanu Nwankwo was the last to earn that feat.
The organisers of the award, French Football, confirmed his nomination Wednesday night.
Osimhen scored 25 league goals last term, beating off Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao to scoop the prize for the Best Striker in Serie A.
He also helped the team reach the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League and was instrumental as the Super Eagles sealed a ticket for the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The feat earned the 24-year-old player the accolade as the first African to top the Serie A scorers’ chart.
He also broke George Weah’s record for the most goals scored by an African in the Italian league with the achievement.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
