Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, representing the Super Eagles, has earned a nomination for the FIFA Best Player award, joining a prestigious list of top players worldwide.
This follows his recent Ballon D’or nomination, making him the sole African contender. It’s a historic moment as a Nigerian player reaches this level of FIFA award recognition after an extended period.
Osimhen’s achievements continue to impress, particularly after his nomination for the Ballon D’or, ending a 24-year drought since Kanu Nwankwo’s inclusion.
His remarkable performances for Napoli, where he secured the Serie A title and the top goalscorer award with 26 goals, highlight his exceptional talent.
Notably, Osimhen’s excellence extends to the national team, the Super Eagles, where he emerged as the top goalscorer in the recent AFCON qualifiers, netting an impressive 10 goals in six games.
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During the summer transfer window, Osimhen attracted interest from prominent European clubs like PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, but Napoli ultimately retained him.
Among the other notable contenders for the FIFA Best Player award are Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Declan Rice, Erling Haaland, Rodrigo (Manchester City), Julian Alvarez, Marcelo Brozovic, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Bernardo Silva.
However, there are notable omissions, including Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese and Al Nassr striker, who has missed out for the second consecutive year.
Voting for the individual awards involves four groups: fans, national team managers, national team captains, and media representatives, with the qualifying period for the men’s awards spanning from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023.
