Today in Paris, the football world will witness the revelation of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award winners, including Nigerian international strikers Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, who are in the running for this prestigious honor.
Osimhen, a 24-year-old forward, made a significant impact last season by helping Napoli secure the first Italian Scudetto, since the Diego Maradona era.
He contributed an impressive 26 goals in Serie A and an additional five goals in other competitions, making season’s top scorer.
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Oshoala, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in FC Barcelona Femeni’s success as they clinched the women’s Liga F title and the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy.
The Ballon d’Or award ceremony will feature four main categories, with three dedicated to male players and one highlighting excellence in women’s football.
Notably, the revised voting criteria now focus on the previous season (2022/23), as opposed to the calendar year.
This structural adjustment positions Lionel Messi as the frontrunner for an incredible eighth Ballon d’Or, following his leadership in Argentina’s FIFA World Cup victory at the end of 2022.
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However, all eyes will be on Victor Osimhen as he competes in a formidable shortlist that includes the defending champion, Karim Benzema, PSG’s French star Kylian Mbappe, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, and Kevin De Bruyne, among others.
If one day I could get closer to winning it (Ballon d’Or), that would be more than a dream come true for me. Just playing at this level is already amazing for me. If it comes, it comes,” Osimhen said while appearing on a recent Mario Baloteli’s Podcast.
As for Asisat Oshoala, she faces strong competition from her Barcelona teammate and Spain’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner, Aitana Bonmati, who is widely considered the favorite to secure the Ballon d’Or Féminin award.
