Nigerian football sensation Victor Osimhen, who plies his trade with SSC Napoli, has achieved yet another milestone in his burgeoning career, MySportDab reports.
The 24-year-old striker has been named among the illustrious 12-man shortlist for the highly-coveted 2023 FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year award, a recognition of his remarkable contributions both at the club and international levels.
Osimhen’s 2022/2023 campaign was nothing short of exceptional, as he played a pivotal role in propelling Napoli to the prestigious Scudetto, marking a historic achievement for the club.
In a feat reminiscent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Osimhen also secured the Capocannoniere title, becoming the first player since 2009 to claim both accolades in the same season.
Notably, this remarkable achievement rendered him the first African Capocannoniere and reaffirmed his status as Serie A’s leading African goal-scorer.
However, Osimhen’s excellence was not confined to the club scene. Despite Nigeria’s absence from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the prolific striker showcased his scoring prowess on the international stage.
He netted an impressive 10 goals for the Super Eagles during their qualifying campaign for the 2024 AFCON, playing a pivotal role in securing their ticket to the tournament.
His standout performance included a scintillating hat-trick against Sao Tome and Principe in the final qualifying match.
In a shortlist dominated by European football’s brightest stars, Victor Osimhen stands out as the sole representative from the African continent.
He finds himself in the esteemed company of football luminaries such as Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Rodri, Julian Alvarez, Marcelo Brozovic, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Declan Rice, and Bernardo Silva.
This latest recognition adds to Osimhen’s growing list of accolades, following his nomination for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
It underscores the striker’s meteoric rise and his steadfast determination to reach even greater heights in the world of football.
As the football world eagerly anticipates the announcement of the FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen continues to be a shining star, representing Nigeria and Africa on the global stage with his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to the beautiful game.
