The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football, often regarded as the ultimate honor for the best footballer in the world. While the FIFA World Cup may be the most recognized global football event, the Ballon d’Or is typically seen as the top individual accolade, highlighting excellence on the field.
This year, Ousmane Dembélé, the French star and PSG player, took home the coveted Ballon d’Or in a ceremony held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí claimed her third consecutive Ballon d’Or, solidifying her place among the best in the world.
One notable mention during this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony was Chiamaka Nnadozie, the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s national women’s team, the Super Falcons. Nnadozie placed fourth in the global rankings for female goalkeepers, marking the highest ever finish for a Nigerian player in this category.
This sparked renewed interest from Nigerian fans, who reflected on the achievements of some of Nigeria’s most famous footballers, several of whom have come close to winning the Ballon d’Or in the past.
Finidi George – 1995
Finidi George, one of Nigeria’s footballing icons, made waves in European football in the 1990s. He was part of the Ajax team that dominated European football in 1995, winning the prestigious UEFA Champions League and the Eredivisie league title in the Netherlands. Finidi scored nine goals and assisted 11 in that remarkable season, helping Ajax to win a total of five trophies that year. Finidi placed 21st in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 1995, one of the highest positions achieved by a Nigerian player.
Nwankwo Kanu – 1996 and 1999
Nwankwo Kanu, affectionately known as “Papilo,” is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers. His standout performances during the 1996 Olympic Games, where he won a gold medal with the Nigerian team, and his success with Inter Milan, earned him recognition on the world stage. In 1996, Kanu finished 11th in the Ballon d’Or rankings, after his Olympic triumph. Later, in 1999, after achieving further success with Arsenal, he placed 23rd in the rankings. Kanu was also named African Footballer of the Year twice (1996 and 1999), cementing his legacy as one of Nigeria’s greatest.
Victor Ikpeba – 1997
Victor Ikpeba, known as the “Prince of Monaco,” earned a spot in the 1997 Ballon d’Or rankings after leading AS Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in France. He was a key player for the team, scoring goals and contributing to the club’s success. Ikpeba finished 32nd in the rankings that year and became the first Nigerian to make the top 50 in the Ballon d’Or.
Asisat Oshoala – 2022 and 2023
Asisat Oshoala has been one of the most successful female footballers from Nigeria. She is the first Nigerian woman to be included in the Ballon d’Or Féminin rankings, and in 2022, she finished 16th in the world after her stellar performance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. In 2023, Oshoala once again featured in the rankings, finishing 20th. Her consistent performances for FC Barcelona and her dominance in African football earned her numerous accolades, including multiple African Women’s Footballer of the Year awards.
Victor Osimhen – 2023
Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian forward who currently plays for Napoli, had a breakout year in 2023. He played a pivotal role in helping Napoli win their first Serie A title in over 30 years. Osimhen’s performances throughout the season, where he finished as the top scorer in Serie A, earned him a spot in the Ballon d’Or rankings. He finished 8th in the world, making him one of the highest-ranked Nigerian footballers in recent years. Osimhen also won the African Footballer of the Year in 2023, further solidifying his status as one of Africa’s best.
Ademola Lookman – 2024
Ademola Lookman had a stellar season in 2024, playing for Atalanta in Serie A. He helped his club win the Europa League and finished with an impressive tally of goals. Lookman’s consistent performances in both domestic and continental competitions earned him a place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, where he finished 14th. His rise as one of Africa’s top footballers continues, and his inclusion in the rankings is a testament to his growing influence in European football.
Chiamaka Nnadozie – 2025
The highlight for Nigerian footballers in 2025 came when Chiamaka Nnadozie, the goalkeeper for Brighton & Hove Albion, placed 4th in the world for women’s goalkeepers in the Ballon d’Or rankings. This remarkable achievement was the highest ever by a Nigerian player in the female goalkeeper category. Nnadozie had a stellar year, winning the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations with the Super Falcons in both 2018 and 2024, further elevating her profile as one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
