Nigerian football enthusiasts are showering accolades on Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, following his recognition as the Footballer of The Year by the Italian Footballers’ Association.
The accolade, bestowed for his outstanding contributions to Napoli during the 2022/23 season, has ignited a wave of praise from fans and positioned Osimhen as a strong contender for additional prestigious awards.
The award ceremony, held on a dazzling Monday night, encompassed various categories, including the highly coveted Team of The Year, Coach of The Year, Club of The Year, and Goal of The Season.
Osimhen’s stellar performance, marked by a remarkable 26 goals, played a pivotal role in securing Napoli’s first Scudetto in 33 years.
This outstanding feat not only earned him recognition at the AIC Oscar del Calcio but also secured his nomination for globally esteemed awards like the FIFA Best and Ballon d’Or, where he achieved a commendable eighth place in the final rankings.
Osimhen’s exceptional form also earned him a well-deserved spot in the Serie A Team of The Year.
Standing alongside exceptional players like Mike Maignan, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kim Min-jae, Andrea Bastoni, Theo Hernández, Stanislav Lobotka, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nicolo Barella, Rafael Leão, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen’s prowess was acknowledged among the league’s elite.
Despite facing initial challenges in the 2023/24 campaign and recent struggles with injuries, Osimhen’s goal-scoring prowess remains impressive, boasting six goals from 10 league appearances.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Osimhen took to the social media platform X, stating, “Thank you @GranGalaAIC for the recognition and awards, thank you my family, friends, and supporters for your votes and unending support. GOD is the Greatest.”
The football community, particularly Nigerian fans, flooded social media with commendations.
Asiwaju Lerry expressed anticipation for Osimhen’s potential triumph as the African Player of the Year next week, while Shola couldn’t contain the excitement, stating, “Victor Osimhen is the name. Can’t wait to see this lad win more.”
Mibanti, under the handle @RealMibanti, urged Osimhen to continue bringing pride to Nigeria, exclaiming, “Victor Osimhen won the best player in Serie A. Keep making Nigeria proud.”
Yimzy, known as @oyimzy, praised Osimhen’s character, stating, “He embodies class, hard work, and dedication. Victor Osimhen.”
Editi Peter conveyed admiration and encouragement, saying, “God is the greatest. Your story is touching, go king.”
Edmund Oris extended congratulations and harbored ambitious hopes for Osimhen’s future achievements, suggesting that with Lionel Messi out of Europe, the Nigerian striker could be a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. “Congratulations king. With Messi out of Europe, let’s go for the Ballon d’Or next,” Oris wrote.
