By Latiifah Amusan
The talented striker for Super Eagles and Napoli, Victor Osimhen, has made history by securing the 8th position in the prestigious 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or awards.
This outstanding achievement marks him as the highest-ranked Nigerian player ever in the history of the Ballon d’Or awards.
Osimhen’s incredible performance in the 2022-23 season propelled him ahead of renowned players such as Robert Lewandowski, current holder Karim Benzema, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Mohamed Salah.
His rise to the 8th spot reflects his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
Victor Osimhen has etched his name in Napoli’s history books by becoming the first player from the club to break into the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings.
This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Ruud Krol, who secured the 15th place in 1980.
Osimhen’s exceptional contributions to Napoli’s success, including their first Serie A title in 33 years, are underscored by his impressive 26 goals in 32 appearances, making him the top scorer of the 2022-23 season.
In the women’s category, the Super Falcons and Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala also made a notable appearance, finishing in the 20th position.
Both Osimhen and Oshoala’s achievements are a source of pride for Nigerian football and a testament to their extraordinary talent and hard work.
