The Ballon d’Or has long been the pinnacle of individual achievement in football, celebrating the best players globally. Nigerian players have made their mark over the years, starting with Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, who were all nominated in 1995. These early nominations highlighted Nigerian talent and set the stage for future generations. Nwankwo Kanu received two nominations, in 1996 and 1999, during his stints with Arsenal and Inter Milan, respectively. Victor Ikpeba was nominated in 1997 with AS Monaco, and Sunday Oliseh followed with a nomination in 1998 while at Juventus. These players remain some of Africa’s most celebrated football exports, showcasing the continent’s talent on the European stage. In 2023, Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala made history by being nominated for the Ballon d’Or in the same year, marking the first time both a male and female Nigerian player received nominations in the same year. Osimhen’s outstanding season with Napoli and Oshoala’s impressive performances with Barcelona were pivotal in this achievement. The following year, Ademola Lookman joined the ranks with his nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. His hat-trick performance in the Europa League final underscored his remarkable form and further highlighted Nigerian talent on the global stage.

9 Nigerian players 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)