September 14, (THEWILL) – Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, has been nominated for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award following his standout performances for Napoli over the past year.
The 24-year-old is among 11 players in contention for the honour, which recognises individual achievements between August 2022 and August 2023. Osimhen enjoyed a prolific season in front of goal as Napoli clinched the Serie A title with several matches to spare.
His attacking displays also earned a nomination alongside big names such as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. The Nigerian’s 26 goals in 32 games were central to Napoli’s domestic and European ambitions. However, he will face stiff competition from the likes of Messi, who inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in December.
The awards ceremony takes place in Paris on February 27, where the winner will be announced. Other categories include best female player, best male and female coaches and best goalkeepers, with voting open to the public until October. The shortlist for the Puskas Award for goal of the year will be revealed later this month.
If victorious, Osimhen would become the first Nigerian winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Player award. With Napoli top of Serie A after seven games so far this season, he will be hoping for another productive campaign as he aims to claim one of football’s top individual honours in 2024.
The nominees include:
Best FIFA Men’s Player:
– Julian Alvarez (Man City, Argentina)
– Marcelo Brozovic (Inter/Al Nassr, Croatia)
– Kevin De Bruyne (Man City, Belgium)
– Erling Haaland (Man City, Norway)
– Rodri (Man City, Spain)
– Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli, Georgia)
– Kylian Mbappe (PSG, France)
– Lionel Messi (PSG/Inter Miami, Argentina)
– Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Nigeria)
– Declan Rice (West Ham/Arsenal, England)
– Bernardo Silva (Man City, Portugal)
Best FIFA Women’s Player:
– Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
– Linda Caicedo (Deportivo Cali/Real Madrid, Colombia)
– Rachel Daly (Aston Villa, England)
– Kadidiatou Diani (PSG/Lyon, France)
– Caitlin Foord (Arsenal, Australia)
– Mary Fowler (Man City, Australia)
– Alex Greenwood (Man City, England)
– Jenni Hermoso (Pachuca, Spain)
– Lindsey Horan (Lyon, United States)
– Amanda Ilestedt (PSG/Arsenal, Sweden)
– Lauren James (Chelsea, England)
– Sam Kerr (Chelsea, Australia)
– Mapi Leon (Barcelona)
– Hinata Miyazawa (Mynavi Sendai/Man Utd, Japan)
– Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona, Spain)
– Keira Walsh (Barcelona, England)
Best FIFA Men’s Coach:
– Pep Guardiola (Man City)
– Simone Inzaghi (Inter)
– Ange Postecoglou (Celtic/Tottenham)
– Luciano Spalletti (Napoli/Italy)
– Xavi (Barcelona)
Best FIFA Women’s Coach:
– Peter Gerharsson (Sweden)
– Jonatan Giraldez (Barcelona)
– Tony Gustavsson (Australia)
– Emma Hayes (Chelsea)
– Sarina Wiegman (England)
Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper:
– Yassine Bounou (Sevilla/Al Hilal, Morocco)
– Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)
– Andre Onana (Inter/Man Utd, Cameroon)
– Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona, Germany)
Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper:
– Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham, Australia)
– Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea, Germany)
– Cata Coll (Barcelona, Spain)
– Mary Earps (Man Utd, England)
– Christiane Endler (Lyon, Chile)
– Zecira Musovic (Chelsea, Sweden)
– Sandra Panos (Barcelona)
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
