Following his recent nomination for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has now secured a spot on the shortlist for the FIFA Best Player award, announced on Thursday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Osimhen finds himself in esteemed company, as nominees in the men’s category include Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Kylian Mbappe, alongside the Super Eagles’ forward.
Additional nominees in this category feature Julian Alvarez, Marcelo Brozovic, İlkay Gundogan, Rodri, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Declan Rice, and Bernardo Silva.
Osimhen’s FIFA Best Player nomination marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first Nigerian player to be recognized for this prestigious football award, initially won by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016.
Osimhen’s remarkable performance for Napoli last season played a pivotal role in securing their first Serie A title in 33 years. His remarkable achievement includes scoring 25 league goals, outperforming Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao to claim the title of Best Striker in Serie A. This accomplishment also crowned him as the first African to lead the Serie A scoring charts, breaking George Weah’s longstanding record for the most goals by an African player in the Italian league.
In addition to his club success, Osimhen’s contributions helped Napoli reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and played a vital role in securing a spot for the Super Eagles in the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
On a related note, Osimhen’s compatriot, Asisat Oshoala, who received a Ballon d’Or nomination in the female category, did not make the cut for the FIFA Best Award.
Nominees for the Women’s Best Player category include Aitana Bonmati (ESP), Linda Caicedo (COL), Rachel Daly (ENG), Kadidiatou Diani (FRA), Caitlin Foord (AUS), Mary Fowler (AUS), Alex Greenwood (ENG), Jenni Hermoso (ESP), Lindsey Horan (USA), Amanda Ilestedt (SWE), Lauren James (ENG), Sam Kerr (AUS), Mapi Leon (ESP), Hinata Miyazawa (JPN), Salma Paralluelo (ESP), and Keira Walsh (ENG).
The Men’s Best Coach nominees feature Pep Guardiola (ESP), Simone Inzaghi (ITA), Ange Postecoglou (AUS), Luciano Spalletti (ITA), and Xavi (ESP). Meanwhile, the Women’s Best Coach nominees include Peter Gerhardsson (SWE), Jonatan Giraldez (ESP), Tony Gustavsson (SWE), Emma Hayes (ENG), and
