Osimhen is on the Ballon d’Or shortlist but doesn’t think he has a chance of winning the award
According to
Soccernet, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has chosen Argentine striker Lionel Messi and Norwegian hitman Erling Haaland as candidates for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. listed.
Osimhen is one of 30 nominees for this year’s prestigious Ballon d’Or award. The 24-year-old Nigerian striker scored 31 goals in 38 games, helping Napoli win their first Scudetto in 33 years and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
Last season, he became the first African to win the Capocannoniere, scoring 26 goals. He also won the award as Serie A’s best striker and arguably the league’s best player.
However, ahead of the award ceremony next Monday, Osimhen does not believe he will win the award. On the contrary, he believes that Messi and Haaland are the clear favorites to win.
“I think Haaland and Messi are the two who will definitely win,” Osimhen said in an interview with Naples Magazine.
“They both deserved it and had a great season. Messi won the World Cup and Haaland won the treble.”
The award ceremony will be held in Paris next Monday. If Messi wins this award, it will be his eighth title.
