None of the African players managed to secure a spot within the top 10 of UEFA’s rankings for the 2023 Player of the Year award.
Once again, African players find themselves without acknowledgment from Europes football’s governing bodies.
Not a single player from the continent, including Victor Osimhen of Napoli, made it into the top 10 of UEFA’s Player of the Year shortlist.
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Despite contributing significantly to Napoli’s victory in the 2022/23 season, scoring 26 goals in 32 games and leading them to their first-ever UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, Victor Osimhen did not receive a place among Europe’s top 10 players.
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He failed to receive any votes during the selection process.
It appears that the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup negatively impacted the Nigerian striker’s chances.
He was overlooked in favour of players who had comparatively less impressive seasons, with their performance during the World Cup playing a crucial role.
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UEFA’s criteria for this year’s award encompassed the 2022 FIFA World Cup, possibly the most significant factor in Osimhen’s exclusion.
The established influence of the World Cup in the voting process, which led to Luka Modric of Croatia and Alexis MacAlister of Argentina making the list, leaves other African stars feeling unfairly treated.
Morocco’s valiant effort to become the first African team to reach the semifinals added to the disappointment.
Yassine “Bono” Bounou and Youssef En Nesyri, integral to Morocco’s success in Qatar, also triumphed on the European stage with Sevilla, securing the UEFA Europa League title.
Bono’s penalty save during the final shootout was noteworthy.
Despite their remarkable performances at both club and country levels, neither Bounou nor En Nesyri received votes.
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However, their teammate Jesus Navas, also of Sevilla, secured six points and finished just outside the top 10 in 11th place. Navas played a pivotal role in Spain’s victory in the UEFA Nations League.
The top three players on the list, who were also finalists for the UEFA Player of the Year award, comprised Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, along with Lionel Messi of Inter Miami.
