Victor Osimhen made history as the first Napoli player to make the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings.
The Nigeria international significantly contributed to Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years becoming the 2022-23 top-scorer in the league with 26 goals in 32 appearances. Napoli also reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season, the best result for the Partenopei in Europe’s elite competition.
Osimhen netted five times in six Champions League games last season and individual achievements, combined with Napoli’s results have allowed the 24-year-old to earn a spot in the top 10 of this year’s Ballon d’Or.
As reported by journalist Giuseppe Pastore, this is the best result ever for a Napoli player, given that the previous record belonged to Ruud Krol, who ended 15th in 1980.
Osimhen will know his exact placement during the Ballon d’Or ceremony, held in Paris on Monday evening.
The other players included in the top 10 are Julian Alvarez, Kevin de Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Lylian Mbappé, Leo Messi, Luka Modric, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Vini Jr.
Osimhen’s teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished 17th, while Inter stars Lautaro Martinez and Nicolò Barella finished 20th and 27th respectively.
The Napoli striker was ranked 8th best nominee for his first-ever nomination.
He became the first African to be crowned Serie A Goal King with 26 goals last season and his goals helped Napoli win the Scudetto for the first time in over three decades.
This should be a forbearer to the Super Eagles star scooping the CAF Player of the Year in December in Morocco.
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The Napoli striker was ranked 8th best nominee for his first-ever nomination.
He became the first African to be crowned Serie A Goal King with 26 goals last season and his goals helped Napoli win the Scudetto for the first time in over three decades.
This should be a forbearer to the Super Eagles star scooping the CAF Player of the Year in December in Morocco.
Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah was 11th in the Ballon d’Or rankings, while Morocco’s World Cup goalkeeper Yassine Bonou was 13th.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, whose parents are Nigerian, ranked 24th.
Asisat Oshoala’s Barcelona Femeni were voted the Women’s Club of the Year after they won their second UEFA Women’s Champions League.
She was ranked 20th in the women’s category of the prestigious awards.