Victor Osimhen was not nominated for the Ballon d’Or. He spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, where he scored 37 goals, breaking the record for the highest number of goals by a foreign player.
While many Nigerian football fans believe he deserved a spot, the reason for his Ballon d’Or snub is not far-fetched.
The Turkish league’s coefficient is poor compared to the top leagues in Europe, as they are rated the 9th best league on the continent.
Galatasaray’s poor run in last season’s Europa League also didn’t help his cause. An early playoff exit dented his chances, despite a brace against Tottenham Hotspur and scoring six goals with one assist in seven games.
Every player nominated plays in Italy, France, Spain, or Germany — ballers like Jude Bellingham, Désiré Doué, Harry Kane, and Alexis Mac Allister.
The only exception is Arsenal’s new signing Viktor Gyökeres, who was a Sporting CP player last season — and he was too phenomenal to go unnoticed, judging by his exploits.
He scored a hat-trick in the Champions League last season and netted six goals with one assist in the competition.
Following Osimhen’s permanent transfer to Galatasaray this summer, it feels like the Nigeria international may never get nominated for the prestigious award due to the coefficient.
However, in a year when international competitions are played, the case might be different.
Mind-blowing performances in the African Cup of Nations and World Cup could pave the way for potential nominations in the future.
Despite the Ballon d’Or snub, he remains a contender for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year.
