The Ballon d’Or is the apex of individual achievement in football, awarded annually to the best male and female players in the world.
Since its inception in 1956, it has grown to symbolise the highest honour a footballer can attain, and only a select few Nigerian players have ever been recognised with a nomination.
The first set of Nigerian players to make history at the Ballon d’Or came in 1995, with Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, and the legendary Austin Jay-Jay Okocha all bagging nominations.
Their recognition not only spotlighted their exceptional talent but also paved the way for future generations of African footballers on the global stage.
Nwankwo Kanu, one of Nigeria’s most iconic football figures, was nominated twice—first in 1996 during his tenure at Arsenal and again in 1999 while playing for Inter Milan.
In 1997, Victor Ikpeba got nominated while playing for AS Monaco, followed by Sunday Oliseh’s nomination in 1998 during his time with Juventus.
These early Nigerian nominees are regarded as some of Africa’s greatest footballing exports.
Fast forward to 2023, a new milestone sprung up as Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala made history by becoming the first male and female Nigerian players to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or in the same year.
Osimhen’s nomination came on the heels of a stellar season with Napoli, where he netted 26 goals in Serie A, helping his team win the league. Oshoala’s nomination followed her triumphant performances for Barcelona, where she contributed to her team’s victory in both the Women’s Champions League and the Spanish league.
Their nominations brought to the limelight yet again the quality of Nigerian football and the recognition of African talent on the global stage.
A year after that, Ademola Lookman who plies his trade in Italy for Atalanta, followed in their footsteps with a nomination in the list of 30 players nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
This came after the 26-year-old produced a masterclass performance in the Europa League final where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen.
Below are 9 Nigerian players who have been nominated for 2024 Ballon d’Or award
Finidi George (1995)
Daniel Amokachi (1995)
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (1995)
Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999)
Victor Ikpeba (1997)
Sunday Oliseh (1998)
Asisat Oshoala (2022, 2023)
Victor Osimhen (2023)
Ademola Lookman (2024)
Vanguard.
