Ballon d'Or: Nigeria's Osimhen, Amokachi on the Shortlist

Ballon d’Or has long recognised the world’s top footballers.
Nigerians including but not limited to Osimhen and Oshoala have made the shortlist.
In 2025, Nnadozie and Madugu win historic honors.

For decades the Ballon d’Or has crowned the game’s top individual performers.

Also Read: Ronaldinho to Present 2025 Ballon d’Or Award to Winner

While the prize once favoured Europeans and South Americans, Nigerians have forced their way into the conversation with eye-catching seasons and tournament form.

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The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Nominees for this edition were published on August 7, 2025.

Chiamaka Nnadozie and Justine Madugu appear among Nigeria’s 2025 nominees.

Nnadozie earned a place on the Women’s Yashin shortlist, and Madugu made the list for Women’s Coach after steering the Super Falcons to WAFCON success.

These nominations mark a clear moment of recognition for Nigerian players and staff on the world stage.

Here is a quick, run-through of Nigerians who reached Ballon d’Or shortlists in past years.

1. Finidi George – 1995 (21st)

Ballon d'Or: Finidi George on the Shortlist

Finidi lit up Ajax in 1995, helped them win the Champions League and collected six votes, finishing 21st — early proof that Nigeria could supply world-class talent.

2. Daniel Amokachi – 1995 (nominated)

Ballon d'Or: Daniel Amokachi on the Shortlist

Amokachi earned a nomination after strong FA Cup showings for Everton.

He did not pick up votes, but the nod reflected Nigeria’s rising profile then.

3. Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha – 1995 (nominated)

Ballon d'Or: Austin Okocha on the Shortlist

Okocha’s flair at Eintracht Frankfurt and with Nigeria put him on the list in 1995 and signalled growing international respect.

4. Nwankwo Kanu – 1996 (11th), 1999 (23rd)

Ballon d'Or: Nwankwo Kanu on the Shortlist

Kanu rode Olympic gold and solid club form to finish 11th in 1996 (14 votes) and returned to the shortlist in 1999 with Arsenal.

5. Victor Ikpeba – 1997 (32nd)

Bet9jaBBN Winning Team Ikpeba 1

Ikpeba’s sharp Ligue 1 season pushed him into the voting and a 32nd-place finish.

Oliseh earned a place on the shortlist after commanding displays for Ajax and Nigeria at the 1998 World Cup.

6. Sunday Oliseh – 1998 (nominated)

Sunday Oliseh made Ballon D'or shortlist

Oliseh earned a place on the shortlist after commanding displays for Ajax and Nigeria at the 1998 World Cup.

7. Asisat Oshoala – 2022 (16th), 2023 (20th)

Ballon d'Or: Asisat Oshoala on the Shortlist

Oshoala became the first Nigerian woman nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin after trophies and strong Champions League displays with Barcelona.

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8. Victor Osimhen – 2023 (8th)

Ballon d'Or: Victor Osimhen on the Shortlist

Osimhen powered Napoli to a long-awaited Serie A title and the Golden Boot; voters placed him eighth in 2023, the highest finish by a Nigerian man to date.

9. Ademola Lookman – 2024 (shortlist)

Ballon d'Or: Ademola Lookman on the Shortlist

Lookman’s Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta and his AFCON displays earned him recent shortlist recognition.

Nigeria’s Ballon d’Or story mixes promise with near-misses, yet it now moves forward on momentum.

With more club exposure and tournament success, more Nigerians should reach future Ballon d’Or shortlists and, one day, aim for a top-three finish.

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