{"id":146744,"date":"2023-10-30T23:16:13","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T20:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/?p=146744"},"modified":"2023-10-30T23:31:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T20:31:07","slug":"nigerians-proud-as-osimhen-enters-ballon-dor-top-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/nigerians-proud-as-osimhen-enters-ballon-dor-top-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigerians beam with pride as Osimhen finishes in Ballon d&#8217;Or top 10"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/super-eagles-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Super Eagles<\/a> and Napoli hitman <a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/victor-osimhen-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Victor Osimhen<\/a> has made history by <a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/ballon-dor-2023-victor-osimhen-finishes-ahead-of-salah-lewandowski-in-final-rankings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">finishing 8th in the Ballon d\u2019Or 2023 rankings<\/a>. Arsenal great Nwankwo Kanu held the record for Nigeria\u2019s highest finish in men\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or before Osimhen, finishing 11th in 1996. He bettered Finidi George\u2019s 21st position in the 1995 <a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/ballon-dor-winners-list-1956-till-date\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ballon d\u2019Or rankings<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ranked at the 8th place for the 2023 Men&#39;s Ballon d&#39;Or!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/victorosimhen9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@victorosimhen9<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sscnapoli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@sscnapoli<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NGSuperEagles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@NGSuperEagles<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ballondor?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ballondor<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3wt1DoCSta\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/3wt1DoCSta<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ballon d&#39;Or #ballondor (@ballondor) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ballondor\/status\/1719084589577069029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>A dream season for Osimhen<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The world saw Osimhen\u2019s untapped potential last season. The star striker, currently out injured, scored 26 goals in the league and five in the Champions League, becoming the first African player to win the Serie A Golden Boot (<a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/victor-osimhen-breaks-serie-a-record\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Capocannoniere<\/a>) award. His stellar performances helped the Partenopei win the Scudetto after more than three decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Osimhen formed a lethal partnership with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, dominating defences and scoring goals at will. Khvicha, who has dropped off a bit due to contractual issues this season, was also nominated for the Ballon d\u2019Or 2023. He finished 17th, ahead of Bayern Munich\u2019s Harry Kane and Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ranked at the 17th place for the 2023 Men&#39;s Ballon d&#39;Or!<\/p>\n<p>Khvicha Kvaratskhelia<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sscnapoli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@sscnapoli<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GeorgiaGff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@GeorgiaGff<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ballondor?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ballondor<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LXHYcSz6ly\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/LXHYcSz6ly<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ballon d&#39;Or #ballondor (@ballondor) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ballondor\/status\/1719045106999640338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Osimhen\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or ranking makes Nigerians proud<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nigerians were over the moon to see one of their own recognised as one of the best players in world football. They revealed their happiness on Twitter, and we collected some of the best reactions below:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Naija to the world<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Victor Osimhen is in the Ballon d\u2019Or top 10. Naija to the world!! \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddec <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Bpta169XVS\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/Bpta169XVS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Elvis Tunde (@Tunnykvng) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Tunnykvng\/status\/1719048322533445753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@Tunnykvng, a Chelsea fan, was ecstatic to see Osimhen finish in the Ballon d\u2019Or top 10. The striker\u2019s journey from the streets of Lagos to the pinnacle of European and world football is an inspiration to many in his country. The <a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/nff-latest-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nigeria Football Federation<\/a> (NFF) and the Super Eagles will be hoping many Osimhens emerge from all corners of Nigeria and take the country forward in football.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Osimhen &#8211; Africa\u2019s best?<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">VICTOR OSIMHEN IS THE BEST AFRICAN PLAYER AND TOP 10 IN THE WORLD!!!<br \/>\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddec<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BallonDor?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#BallonDor<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VA6NYSNzsP\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/VA6NYSNzsP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; \ud83d\udd75\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\u261d\ud83c\udffc (@DesignbyStatman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DesignbyStatman\/status\/1719050583850557550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@DesignbyStatman used Twitter to remind everyone that Osimhen is the best player in Africa. The Ballon d\u2019Or 2023 ratings back it up, with the Super Eagles star beating Liverpool and Egypt great Mohamed Salah, who finished in 11th place. Statistically, both players posted similar numbers last season &#8211; Osimhen recorded 31 goals from 39 games while Salah had 30 from 51 outings. However, the Napoli striker scored when it mattered, helping bring success to Napoli after decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Osimhen\u2019s success helps Nigerians grab bragging rights<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Victor Osimhen has been ranked in the top 10 for the ballon d&#39;ors, has any Ghanaian ever been this close? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/V6jUysqHNr\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/V6jUysqHNr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ezenwayi Camp Nou \ud83d\udc99\u2665\ufe0f (@Jiji_Byte) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jiji_Byte\/status\/1719050528594841609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Super Eagles and <a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/tag\/ghana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Black Stars<\/a> have been rivals for decades, with fans from both corners claiming their team is better than the other. Nigeria currently sit in 40th in the FIFA ranking, while Ghana occupy the 60th place. The Super Eagles are well clear, and Osimhen\u2019s latest triumph gives them further bragging rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Chelsea fan demands Osimhen signature<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ghanaians osimhen  ranked 8th in ballon Dior nomination  I can&#39;t find Mohammed kudus <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/y0epvgowCl\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/t.co\/y0epvgowCl<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/98kHZYg5fr\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/98kHZYg5fr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; GODWIN (@UTDGodwin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UTDGodwin\/status\/1719054258086002988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@kesandutg used the opportunity to urge the Chelsea hierarchy to sign Osimhen. The striker has been linked <a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/calls-for-osimhen-transfer-reactions-chelsea-lose-brentford\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">heavily with the club<\/a> after a disappointing start to the season. Nicolas Jackson hasn\u2019t delivered in front of goal, while contribution has been limited from the other attackers in the Chelsea squad. Osimhen could help the club in the attacking department, but his signing would be far from straightforward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many clubs, <a href=\"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/osimhen-transfer-premier-league-interest-intensifies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">including Liverpool<\/a>, are in the hunt for Osimhen\u2019s signature, and Napoli will demand a record-breaking fee especially after Osimhen\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or 2023 ranking.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Super Eagles and Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen has made history by finishing 8th in the Ballon d\u2019Or 2023 rankings. Arsenal great Nwankwo Kanu held the record for Nigeria\u2019s highest finish in men\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or before Osimhen, finishing 11th in 1996. He bettered Finidi George\u2019s 21st position in the 1995 Ballon d\u2019Or rankings. Ranked at the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1000,"featured_media":146746,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no"},"categories":[1,20999],"tags":[14720,37680,11578],"table_tags":[],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Chandan Pandey","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146744"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1000"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146744"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":146770,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146744\/revisions\/146770"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/146746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=146744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=146744"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=146744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}