Nigerian football sensation Victor Osimhen has secured a nomination for the prestigious Best FIFA Men’s Player at the upcoming 2023 Awards.
This recognition comes hot on the heels of his nomination for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award..
Osimhen, who plies his trade as a striker for Napoli, delivered an outstanding performance in the previous season, contributing significantly to his Italian club’s historic Serie A victory after 33 years.
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His goal-scoring prowess saw him net 25 goals in the league, surpassing competitors Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and Rafael Leao of AC Milan to claim the accolade for the Best Striker in Serie A.
He also helped the team reach the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League and was instrumental as the Super Eagles sealed a ticket for the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The feat earned the 24-year-old player the accolade as the first African to top the Serie A scorers’ chart.
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He also broke George Weah’s record for the most goals scored by an African in the Italian league with the achievement.
Last weekend, he scored a hat-trick for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the AFCON qualifiers, taking his tally to 20 goals for the national team.
Voting closes at midnight CET on Friday, October 6.
Shortlisted by a panel of experts based on player achievements from 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023, the nominees are:
Julián Álvarez (Argentina / Manchester City FC)
Marcelo Brozović (Croatia / FC Internazionale Milano / Al Nassr FC)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City FC)
İlkay Gündoğan (Germany / Manchester City FC / FC Barcelona);
Erling Haaland (Norway / Manchester City FC)
Rodrigo (Rodri) Hernández Cascante (Spain / Manchester City FC)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia / SSC Napoli)
Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain / Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / SSC Napoli)
Declan Rice (England / West Ham United FC / Arsenal FC)
Bernardo Silva (Portugal / Manchester City FC)