Victor Osimhen, the formidable striker for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Napoli, achieved a remarkable 8th-place ranking at the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or, an event that took place on Monday night.
Osimhen showcased his exceptional talent during the 2022–2023 season, contributing 25 league goals that played a pivotal role in securing Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years, elevating him to a remarkable 8th place in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
His exceptional performance also earned him the prestigious title of Best Striker in Serie A, outperforming notable contenders such as Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and Rafael Leao of AC Milan.
Osimhen’s impact extended to the UEFA Champions League, where he scored five goals in six games for Napoli, helping the team reach the quarterfinal stages. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Notably, his league goals made history, making him the first African to lead the Serie A scorers’ chart and surpass George Weah’s record for the highest number of goals scored by an African in the Italian league.
Ranked at the 8th place for the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or!@victorosimhen9@sscnapoli@NGSuperEagles#ballondor pic.twitter.com/3wt1DoCSta
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
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Victor Osimhen’s nomination in the male category marks the first time a Nigerian has been nominated in 24 years, with Kanu Nwankwo being the previous Super Eagles star to receive this honor. His 8th-place finish sets a new record as the highest-ranked Nigerian player at the Ballon d’Or and also positions him as the highest-ranked African player at this year’s edition.
According to respected journalist Giuseppe Pastore, “this achievement represents the best result ever for a Napoli player, surpassing the previous record held by Ruud Krol, who finished 15th in 1980.”
In the esteemed top 10 rankings, Victor Osimhen shares the spotlight with other football luminaries, including Julian Alvarez, Kevin de Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Luka Modric, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Vini Jr., and Lionel Messi.
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