Who are the all-time male Nigerian Ballon d’Or nominees?

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On Wednesday, Ademola Lookman joined the exclusive list of male Nigerian Ballon d’Or nominees.

Before him, seven male players from the West African country had been nominated for the highly-rated individual honour.

Asisat Oshoala is the only female Nigerian nominee for the award following nominations in 2022 and 2023.

The Ballon d’Or award is one of the most prestigious individual awards in world football. It is awarded to honour the player deemed to have performed the best over the previous season.

Here is a brief overview of all eight male Nigerians to have been shortlisted for the award since inception.

1. Finidi George (1995)

The talented Nigerian winger, who was instrumental in Ajax’s success, found himself ranked 21st in the 1995 Ballon d’Or standings.

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He tied with AC Milan’s legendary defender Franco Baresi, with both players earning six points. Despite Ajax’s dominance in Europe at the time, George’s performance was slightly overshadowed by his peers.

2. Daniel Amokachi (1995)

Nicknamed “The Bull,” Amokachi had a remarkable stint with Everton, winning the FA Cup that year.

However, in the Ballon d’Or rankings, he was one of the 16 players who did not receive a single vote. His hard work and contributions at the club level and for country will always be remembered.

3. Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (1995)

Known for his flair and extraordinary dribbling skills, Okocha, who was playing for Eintracht Frankfurt, also failed to receive any votes in 1995.

His career was filled with entertainment on the pitch as he dazzled fans in Germany and worldwide.

4. Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999)

In 1996, Kanu, representing Inter Milan, garnered 14 votes, placing him just ahead of AC Milan’s George Weah, the 1995 winner.

In 1999, Kanu’s performances for Arsenal earned him a 23rd place finish, tied with Argentine star Hernan Crespo and Brazilian icon Ronaldo. That year, Rivaldo of Barcelona claimed the prestigious award.

He won the Africa Player of the Year in both 1996 and 1999.

5. Victor Ikpeba (1997)

Nicknamed the “Prince of Monaco,” Ikpeba’s impressive performances in Ligue 1 earned him recognition on the global stage. In the 1997 Ballon d’Or rankings, he finished 32nd with 2 votes.

Though his position was modest, it was a testament to his growing influence in European football. That year, Brazilian sensation Ronaldo de Lima, who shone for both Barcelona and Inter Milan, claimed the prestigious award.

Ikpeba won the 1997 CAF Africa Player of The Year award.

6. Sunday Oliseh (1998)

Oliseh, a defensive midfielder known for his strength and passing, was a key player for Ajax in 1998.

Despite his consistent performances, he was among 19 players who didn’t receive any votes for the Ballon d’Or. His contribution to Ajax’s midfield, however, remained significant.

7. Victor Osimhen (2023)

Napoli’s talismanic striker, Osimhen, who just secured a loan move to Galatasaray, had a breakout year in 2023, leading his team to a historic Serie A title.

His 23 points in the Ballon d’Or rankings earned him an impressive 8th-place finish. In a year dominated by legends, Lionel Messi secured the top spot, but Osimhen’s ranking signaled his arrival as one of the world’s elite forwards.

Osimhen is the reigning Africa Footballer of the Year.

8. Ademola Lookman (2024)

In 2024, Lookman, who had been in fine form for Atalanta, earned his first-ever Ballon d’Or nomination.

His consistent displays in Serie A and contributions to his team’s success put him on the radar of the football world.

Lookman made history by becoming Atalanta’s first-ever nominee for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.

His standout moment came in the 2023/24 Europa League final, where he netted a remarkable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, leading Atalanta to victory. This achievement made Lookman the first player to score three goals in a UEFA Europa League final.

Additionally, Lookman became the first African player to score a hat-trick in a major European final.

Earlier in the year, he played a pivotal role in guiding Nigeria’s Super Eagles to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), finishing as the team’s top scorer.

Lookman’s performances earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament for both the Europa League and the AFCON.

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