October 31, (THEWILL) – Nigerian football stars, Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, made history for country and continent at the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards on Monday night. Osimhen finished 8th in the men’s rankings, the highest-ever finish for an African player since George Weah won it in 1995. Meanwhile, Oshoala placed 20th in the women’s category, the highest ranking achieved by an African woman.
The 23-year-old Osimhen enjoyed a phenomenal season with Napoli, helping them to their first Serie A title in the over three decades wait the Naples club endured since the days of the iconic Diego Maradona. In addition, Osimhen also claimed Serie A’s Golden Boot with 26 goals, making him the first-ever African to attain this feat after over 200 years of the League’s existence.
Osimhen’s ranking in the Ballon d’Or top 10 caps off a stellar year where he also shone for Nigeria, scoring 10 goals in 12 games. His scoring ratio on the international level, which impressively complements his club performances, has evoked debates about whether with 20 goals currently, he will eventually overtake the 37 goals Nigeria’s “King of Goals”, Rashidi Yekini, notched in his time.
Oshoala also had an impressive year, scoring 36 goals in 42 games across all competitions with Barcelona Femeni as they won the Women’s UEFA Champions League. She also helped Nigeria qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Her top 20 finish is a new high for an African woman in the Ballon d’Or.
She is widely regarded as one of the greatest African female footballers of all time. She holds the record number of African Women’s Footballer of the Year awards, which stands at five, and which cements her status as the most decorated and celebrated African woman to ever play the game.
Osimhen and Oshoala have further advanced their statuses and made more football history with these achievements. Osimhen becomes the first African male player to rank so highly since Weah, while Oshoala has set a new benchmark for African women. Both are considered among the most talented young players in the world.
The Nigerian pair have raised hopes that an African victory in the men’s or women’s Ballon d’Or could be imminent. Their historic high rankings demonstrate the abundance of talent emerging from the continent. Osimhen and Oshoala have proven Africa can compete with the global elite.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
