Nigerian free-scoring sensation, Victor Osimhen, has been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or after an illustrious 2022/23 season with Italian Serie A side Napoli, Peoples Gazette can confirm.

In the 30-man shortlist that was released by the organiser, France Football magazine, on Wednesday, Osimhen, who won the Golden Boot as Napoli lifted the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years last season, was among the nominees.

Nominated alongside the 24-year-old were Argentina’s World Cup hero and Inter Miami forward, Lionel Messi and Manchester City’s free-scoring striker, Erling Haaland.

Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Karim Benzema, Andre Onana, IIkay Gundogan, Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr, Robert Lewandowski, Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne and others have all been nominated for the football top honour.

Nigeria also entered the history books as Super Falcons and Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala, was nominated in the women’s category for the second consecutive time – becoming the first African country to have nominees in both the men’s and women’s categories at the same time.

Nominated alongside Oshoala in the women’s category were 29 others, including England’s Three Lionesses and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup top-scorer Hinata Miyazawa and Chelsea forward, Sam Kerr.

The winners of each category for the 67th edition of the awards will be announced on 30 October 2023 in a ceremony billed to take place at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France and will be hosted by Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba.