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Ballon d’Or: Osimhen becomes first Nigerian to make top 10

BY Idris Shehu

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Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles striker, has been named the eighth best male footballer in the world. 

Membership of the elite group was announced on Monday at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, France.

Osimhen became the first Nigerian to be named in the top ten of the Ballon d’Or.

Former Super Eagles forward Nwankwo Kanu finished 11th in 1996.

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Osimhen placed ahead of Luca Modric of Real Madrid and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva in the top ten.

He is also the highest-ranking African, finishing ahead of Egypt’s Mohammed Salah, who placed 11th.

The Nigerian led Napoli to the Serie A title last season — the club’s first in 33 years.

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The Super Eagles striker scored 25 league goals to become the league’s highest goalscorer, setting the record as the first African footballer to achieve the feat.

The 24-year-old also led his country to AFCON 2024 qualification and he is the leading goalscorer in the series.

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