For many Nigerian and African football fans, the Ballon d’Or 2025 shortlist brought a painful surprise — Victor Osimhen was left out. After an electrifying rise with Napoli and consistent displays for the Super Eagles, expectations were high that he would be among the nominees. Yet his name was missing.
So, what happened? Here are six key reasons why Osimhen missed out on the Ballon d’Or shortlist this year.
Osimhen struggled with injuries at crucial stages of the 2024/25 campaign. Recurring muscle problems and time on the sidelines meant he couldn’t maintain the consistency needed to compete with Europe’s very best.
After winning the Serie A title in 2023, Napoli’s performances dipped. They failed to mount a serious title challenge last season, and their struggles in Europe also hurt Osimhen’s visibility on the biggest stages. Ballon d’Or voters often reward players whose clubs dominate domestically and in Europe.
The Champions League is often where reputations are cemented. Osimhen’s limited impact in Europe’s elite competition last season worked against him, especially when compared with forwards like Mbappé, Haaland, and Vinícius Jr., who all delivered big moments under the brightest lights.
2025 has been a golden era for forwards. With Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi’s swansong, and Vinícius Júnior all producing standout seasons, the competition for attacking spots was brutal. Osimhen’s numbers, while impressive, didn’t quite match the astronomical figures posted by his rivals.
While Osimhen remains Nigeria’s talisman, the Super Eagles did not achieve major success in continental or international tournaments during the voting window. Without a landmark achievement with the national team, his case lost weight compared to players who lifted trophies.
Finally, the harsh reality: the Ballon d’Or often favors players in higher-profile leagues and clubs consistently deep in Europe. While Serie A remains competitive, it doesn’t carry the same global spotlight as the Premier League or La Liga, where stars get more weekly exposure.
Missing out on the Ballon d’Or 2025 shortlist doesn’t diminish Victor Osimhen’s status as one of the best strikers in the world. For Nigerian football fans and readers of the Best Sport Blog, this should be seen as motivation — Osimhen is still young, still improving, and has plenty of time to claim football’s most prestigious individual award.
If he stays fit, dominates Serie A, and shines in the Champions League or international stage, his Ballon d’Or moment will come.
✍️ Written By: Abdul Noah Ocholi
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