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Ballon d’Or: Ranking the Top 10 Nigerian Footballers in History

Since the Ballon d’Or began, nine Nigerians have earned nominations. Here’s a look at how these footballers ranked in the years they were recognized.

Ademola Lookman secured his spot in 2024 after guiding Atalanta to the Europa League title and becoming the first player to net a hat-trick in a single-legged European final.

Nigeria has consistently produced talented players who have left marks on the world stage, gaining recognition through nominations and awards.

Below is the list of the top 10 highest-ranked Nigerian footballers in Ballon d’Or history, ordered from best to lowest finish:

  • Victor Osimhen (2023) - 8th place, 24 votesOsimhen set a record for Nigerians by finishing 8th. He was instrumental in Napoli winning their first Serie A title in 33 years, clinching the league’s golden boot with 26 goals and scoring five in the Champions League quarterfinal run.
  • Nwankwo Kanu (1996) - 11th place, 14 votesKanu made history as the first Nigerian twice nominated for the Ballon d’Or. His 1996 nomination came after leading Nigeria to Olympic gold and helping Ajax reach the Champions League final.
  • Asisat Oshoala (2022) - 16th place, 4 votesOshoala became the second Nigerian with multiple Ballon d’Or nods. Her standout season with Barcelona included leading them to the Primera División title as top scorer and winning two other domestic trophies.
  • Asisat Oshoala (2023) - 20th place, 7 votesShe made history again as the first Nigerian woman nominated two years in a row, winning a treble with Barcelona and guiding Nigeria to the Women’s World Cup round of 16.
  • Finidi George (1995) - 21st place, 6 votesFinidi was the first Nigerian to crack the top 30, playing a key role in Ajax’s Champions League win and multiple other trophies that year.
  • Nwankwo Kanu (1999) - 23rd place, 2 votesKanu’s second nomination followed his strong season at Arsenal, earning him CAF and BBC African Footballer of the Year awards as well.
  • Victor Ikpeba (1997) - 32nd place, 2 votesKnown as the Prince of Monaco, Ikpeba helped AS Monaco win Ligue 1 and the Trophée des Champions, scoring 13 league goals and finishing second top scorer in the UEFA Cup.
  • Sunday Oliseh (1998) - No top 30 finish, no votesOliseh impressed for Ajax with league and cup titles and scored a memorable goal in Nigeria’s 1998 World Cup win over Spain.
  • Daniel Amokachi (1995) - No top 30 finish, no votesAmokachi earned his nomination following Everton’s FA Cup triumph where he scored two critical semifinal goals, famously subbing himself into the match.
  • Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (1995) - No top 30 finish, no votesOkocha’s skillful performances for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination that year.

Though mostly dominated by European stars, these Nigerian players have made notable marks on global football through their Ballon d’Or nominations and achievements.

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