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Finidi, Oshoala, Osimhen, Other Nigerian Players Who Made Ballon d’Or Shortlist

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Naija News reports that while European and South American stars have traditionally dominated the award, several Nigerians have forced their way into the conversation, from the golden generation of the 1990s to the new wave led by Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

This year, Nigeria’s presence on the Ballon d’Or stage continues, with two fresh nominees ahead of the 69th ceremony scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

Two Nigerians made history when the Ballon d’Or shortlist was unveiled on August 7, 2025:

Chiamaka Nnadozie – shortlisted for the Women’s Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), making her the first African goalkeeper ever to earn a nomination in this category.
Justine Madugu – nominated for the Women’s Best Coach (Johan Cruyff Trophy) after leading the Super Falcons to WAFCON glory and being named Best Coach of the Tournament.

Nigeria’s Historic Nominees

Nigeria’s Ballon d’Or story stretches back to the mid-1990s when the award was first opened to non-Europeans. Some of the highlights include:

Finidi George (1995, 21st place) – His Champions League triumph with Ajax earned him six votes.
Daniel Amokachi (1995, nominated) – Recognised for his FA Cup heroics with Everton.
Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha (1995, nominated) – Celebrated for his flair with Eintracht Frankfurt and Nigeria.
Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 11th; 1999, 23rd) – Nigeria’s Olympic hero finished 11th in 1996, one of the country’s best-ever showings at the time.
Victor Ikpeba (1997, 32nd) – Nicknamed the “Prince of Monaco,” Ikpeba earned two votes after a stellar Ligue 1 season.
Sunday Oliseh (1998, nominated) – Shortlisted after strong displays for Ajax and at the World Cup.
Asisat Oshoala (2022, 16th; 2023, 20th) – The first Nigerian woman to break into the Ballon d’Or Féminin shortlist with Barcelona Femeni.
Victor Osimhen (2023, 8th) – Made history by finishing 8th overall, the highest-ever placement for a Nigerian male, after leading Napoli to a Serie A title.
Ademola Lookman (2024, shortlisted) – Earned recognition after a Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta and an impressive AFCON run.

For years, Kanu’s 11th-place finish in 1996 stood as the benchmark for Nigerian footballers until Osimhen shattered the record in 2023.

His top-eight finish ignited fresh belief that a Nigerian could one day win the coveted prize.

On the women’s side, Oshoala’s back-to-back nominations cemented Nigeria’s presence among the elite, though she has yet to break into the top 10.

Now, with Nnadozie’s historic nomination and Madugu’s coaching recognition, Nigeria’s footprint on football’s biggest individual stage continues to expand.

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Marcus Rashford Proves He Can Be Barcelona’s Game-Changer

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Marcus Rashford showed once again why Barcelona may want to keep him beyond this season, delivering a decisive performance in their crucial Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

With Barça struggling to break down a deep-defending opponent, Rashford stepped up and provided the spark Hansi Flick’s side desperately needed.

The Blaugrana dominated possession—as they often do—but lacked penetration in the final third. Rashford, introduced at half-time, immediately shifted the tempo.

His directness, urgency and willingness to try a different approach gave Barcelona a dimension they were missing, reports Barca Blaugranes

His moment of brilliance came with a perfect cross to Jules Kounde, a pass few in the squad could execute.

The power, accuracy and timing showed exactly why Rashford’s English background and style bring something different to the team.
Barcelona needed a new solution, and Rashford delivered it

From the left flank, Barcelona have struggled to find consistent end product this season, with Alejandro Balde offering energy but not always precision.

Rashford changed that instantly, taking risks and attacking the game rather than waiting for the ideal passing sequence. His influence also sparked Lamine Yamal, who soon created another aerial chance for Kounde.

Barcelona’s comeback keeps their Champions League top-eight hopes alive, with Slavia Prague and Copenhagen still to come. But Flick knows his side must be more pragmatic, not just dominant in possession.

Even with Raphinha returning, Rashford has proven he can be a match-winner off the bench. If he wants a long-term stay at Camp Nou, performances like this will strengthen his case.

On a night when Barcelona looked lost, Rashford became the difference maker.

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UCL: Lamine Yamal breaks Mbappe’s record

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Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal now holds another Champions League record after the club’s 2-1 victory over Frankfurt on Tuesday night.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Yamal’s assist for Jules Kounde means he now has more goal involvements in the tournament than any other player aged 18 or younger.

The Spaniard has now beaten Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe’s record.

Barcelona had to come from behind to get the three points against Frankfurt at the Spotify Nou Camp.

Ansgar Knauff put the Bundesliga side in front before the break.

But in the second half, two goals from Kounde sealed an important victory for the Catalans, with Marcus Rashford and Yamal bagging assists.

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UCL: Why Chelsea lost 2-1 to Atalanta – Maresca

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Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has blamed a lack of control and fatigue for their 2-1 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Maresca’s men took the lead through Joao Pedro, before the Serie A side fought back to take all three points.

Gianluca Scamacca’s header levelled the game, before Charles De Ketelaere smashed in the winner in the 83rd minute.

“After we conceded the first goal, we lost control a little bit of the game,” Maresca told TNT Sports.

“We are playing every two days, two days, two days. For a moment we looked like we struggled a bit.

“We were aggressive like them. We had different chances to make it 2-0 and when we conceded 1-1 the dynamic of the game changed a little bit.”

Chelsea now have 10 points from six games, two points behind eighth-placed Liverpool.

The Blues welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge next in the Premier League this weekend.

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