The Ballon d’Or represents the pinnacle of individual football accolades, awarded each year to the finest male and female players in the sport.
Since its establishment in 1956, only a handful of Nigerian footballers have earned a nomination for this prestigious award, reflecting their extraordinary talent and contributions to the global football scene.
Nigeria’s journey in the Ballon d’Or nominations began in 1995 when Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, and the renowned Austin Jay-Jay Okocha made history as the first Nigerians to be nominated.
Their recognition not only underscored their skills but also set the stage for future African footballers to shine on the world stage.
Nwankwo Kanu, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football figures, was nominated twice. His first nomination came in 1996 after leading Nigeria’s “Dream Team” to Olympic gold in Atlanta, a remarkable achievement that earned him widespread recognition.
In that year, Kanu finished 11th in the Ballon d’Or ranking, accumulating 16 votes, which placed him ahead of renowned international players like Raúl and Didier Deschamps.
Kanu’s second nomination followed in 1999, during his stint with Arsenal, where his performances further solidified his reputation as one of Nigeria’s finest football talents.
In 1997, AS Monaco’s Victor Ikpeba joined the list, and a year later, Juventus midfielder Sunday Oliseh earned his nomination in 1998.
These early nominees were crucial in positioning Nigerian and African footballers as contenders for the highest honors in the sport.
Fast forward to 2023, when Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala broke new ground by becoming the first male and female Nigerian players to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or in the same year.
Osimhen’s remarkable season with Napoli, where he scored 26 goals and helped secure the Serie A title, and Oshoala’s key role in Barcelona’s victories in the Women’s Champions League and the Spanish league, earned them this global recognition.
In 2024, Ademola Lookman, playing for Atalanta in Italy, followed in their footsteps by earning a Ballon d’Or nomination.
His standout performance in the Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, was pivotal in securing his spot on the list.
List of Nigerian Players Nominated for the Ballon d’Or:
1. Finidi George (1995)
2. Daniel Amokachi (1995)
3. Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (1995)
4. Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999)
5. Victor Ikpeba (1997)
6. Sunday Oliseh (1998)
7. Asisat Oshoala (2022, 2023)
8. Victor Osimhen (2023)
9. Ademola Lookman (2024)
These Nigerian footballers have not only made their mark in Europe but have also solidified their legacy as some of Africa’s greatest exports in the world of football.
Their Ballon d’Or nominations symbolize the heights that Nigerian football has reached on the international stage.
The post From Kanu To Osimhen: Nine Nigerian Footballers Who Have Earned Ballon d’Or Nominations Over The Years (Full List) appeared first on Naija News.