Nigerians Who Have Made the Ballon d’Or Shortlist
The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual prize, often dominated by European and South American stars. Yet over the years, several Nigerians have broken through, earning nominations and sometimes finishing high on the list. From Finidi George in the 1990s to Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala in recent years, these players have carried Nigeria’s football reputation onto the global stage. The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Nominees for this year’s awards were announced on August 7, with Nigeria once again making history. Nigerian nominees in 2025 Chiamaka Nnadozie – Nominated for the Women’s Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper). She is the first African goalkeeper to earn a nomination in this category. Justine Madugu – Nominated for the Women’s Best Coach (Johan Cruyff Trophy) after guiding the […]