Osimhen makes the FIFA Best Shortlist after Ballon d’Or Nomination

The Super Eagles striker shared a nomination in the men’s category of the prize with Lionel Messi, Erlin Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Kylian Mbappe.

Victor Osimhen of Nigeria, a striker, was on Thursday shortlisted for the FIFA Best Player award, just a few days after being named a candidate for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.

The Super Eagles striker shared a nomination in the men’s category of the prize with Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Kylian Mbappe.

Other contenders are Bernardo Silva, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Rodri, Marcelo Brozovic, lkay Gundogan, Julian Alvarez, and Marcelo Brozovic.

Osimhen is the first footballer from Nigeria to be nominated for the FIFA Best Footballer Award, which Cristiano Ronaldo won for the first time in 2016.

The Italian Serie A team’s first Scudetto in 33 years was won thanks in large part to Osimhen’s amazing play for Napoli last season.

Rafael Leao of AC Milan and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan were defeated by the striker for the title of Best Striker in Serie A thanks to his 25 league goals.

In addition to beating George Weah’s record for the most goals scored by an African in the Italian league, the performance made the 24-year-old the first African to top the Serie A scorers’ chart.

Additionally, he played a key role in the Super Eagles securing a spot in the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and assisted Napoli in advancing to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

Asisat Oshoala, Osimhen’s fellow countrywoman who was also nominated for a Ballon d’Or in the female category, was left out of the FIFA Best Award.

The nominees for Women’s Best Player are 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), Keira Walsh (ENG).

The candidates for men’s best coach are Pep Guardiola (ESP), Xavi (ESP), Simone Inzaghi (ITA), Ange Postecoglou (AUS), Luciano Spalletti (ITA), and Simone Inzaghi.

The candidates for women’s best coach are Sarina Wiegman (NED), Emma Hayes (ENG), Tony Gustavsson (SWE), Jonatan Giraldez (ESP), and Peter Gerhardsson (SWE).