Tunmise Olasokan
Nigerian footballers have had a long and storied history in the game, and several have been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Here is a look at the Nigerian players who have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and their accomplishments :
1. Finidi George (1995)
Finidi George, a winger who played for Ajax, Real Betis, and Rangers, was known for his speed, dribbling skills, and crossing ability. He was a key member of the Ajax team that won the Champions League in 1995. He also played for Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
2.Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999)
Nwankwo Kanu, a striker who played for Ajax, Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Portsmouth, was known for his pace, dribbling skills, and finishing ability. He won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and the FA Cup with Arsenal in 1998 and 2002. He also won the Olympic gold medal with Nigeria in 1996.
3. Victor Ikpeba (1997)
Victor Ikpeba, a striker who played for Monaco, Milan, and West Ham United, was known for his goalscoring ability. He won the African Footballer of the Year award in 1997.
4. Jay-Jay Okocha (2004)
Jay-Jay Okocha, a midfielder who played for Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, and Hull City, was known for his dribbling skills, passing ability, and free-kick taking. He was named one of the 125 greatest living footballers by Pelé in 2004.
5. Sunday Oliseh (1998)
Sunday Oliseh, a midfielder who played for Ajax, Juventus, and Barcelona, was known for his tackling ability and passing range. He was a key member of the Nigeria team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1994.
6. Asisat Oshoala (2019, 2021,2023)
Asisat Oshoala, a forward who plays for Barcelona and the Nigerian national team, is known for her dribbling skills, finishing ability, and goalscoring prowess. She has won the African Women’s Player of the Year award five times and was the first African woman to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin.
7. Victor Osimhen (2023)
Victor Osimhen, a forward who plays for Napoli and the Nigerian national team, was in superb form last season, scoring 18 goals in 32 appearances for Napoli, helping them to win their first Scudetto in 33 years. He is the first Nigerian player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or since Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004. Osimhen is a very talented player with a lot of potential. He is still young and has a lot of room to grow. If he can keep up his high level of performance, he could be a future Ballon d’Or winner.
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