Only 8 Nigerian players have made it to the long list of ballon d’or nominees. Africans hardly appear on the last-three list for the award.
Ballon d’or celebrates top footballers from across the world. Finidi George was the first Nigeria to be on the list. He made it in 1995 alongside his compatriots, Daniel Amokachi and Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
None of the three top legendary Nigerian footballers won the award. One year later, the top midfielder, Nwankwo Kanu, who played for Ajax and Arsenal got a nomination as well. He couldn’t beat others to clinch the award and he got another nomination in 1999.
Victor Ikpeba also had a ballon d’or nomination in 1997. He had a spectacular football year that time. But his best was not enough to get the award for him. In 1998 Sunday Oliseh, who played for and coached the Super Eagles of Nigeria was nominated, he didn’t win it.
Since 1998 that a Nigerian last got the nomination, no other player of the country was shortlisted till 2022 when Asisat Oshoala grabbed her first nomination.
Oshoala is the first Nigerian female footballer to get a ballon d’or nomination. In fact she’s the second Nigerian to get a nomination more than one time. A year later, her name also appears on the list.
Victor Osimhen is the 8th Nigerian player to be nominated for the prize. His spectacular performance for Napoli earns him the glory.
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