Victor Osimhen’s 2025 Ballon d’Or Snub: Missed opportunity to celebrate Africa
Nigerian and Galatasaray’s forward, Victor Osimhen. Photo Credit- Skysports Italy/X
The 2025 Ballon d’Or 30-man shortlist, announced on August 7, 2025, sparked outrage among football fans, particularly in Africa, due to the glaring omission of Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker, a former top-10 finisher in 2023, delivered an exceptional season with Galatasaray and Nigeria, yet was overlooked alongside compatriot Ademola Lookman. This exclusion raises serious questions about the selection process, the valuation of non-European leagues, and the representation of African players in football’s most prestigious individual award. Osimhen’s snub is not just a personal slight but a broader failure to recognize African excellence on the global stage.
A season of undeniable impact for Osimhen
Victor Osimhen’s 2024/25 season was a masterclass in goal-scoring and leadership, making his Ballon d’Or omission baffling. After a €75 million move to Galatasaray, the most expensive in Turkish football history, he scored 35 goals in 39 official matches, including a stunning bicycle kick against Antalyaspor and a brace in the Turkish Cup final, earning Player of the Match honors. His international exploits were equally impressive, topping the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with 10 goals and adding two more in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. These numbers rival or surpass many nominees, underscoring the injustice of his exclusion.
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However, his exclusion from the 2025 Ballon d’Or 30-man shortlist is not a bolt from the blue but due to certain factors. Perhaps, the most likely culprit behind Osimhen’s snub is the perceived inferiority of the Turkish Super Lig, where he plays. Despite his record-breaking goal tally and standout performances in the Europa League, including a brace against Tottenham, the Ballon d’Or’s voting journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations seem to prioritize Europe’s “Big Five” leagues and even bigger competitions. This bias unfairly penalizes players in competitive but less glamorous leagues, diminishing Osimhen’s historic achievements and reinforcing a Eurocentric lens that undervalues talent outside the elite European football landscape.
The absence of a major international tournament in 2024/25 should have leveled the playing field, allowing club performances to take center stage. Yet, Osimhen’s exclusion suggests his Europa League and AFCON qualifier heroics were overshadowed by the Champions League’s global reach, which boosted players like PSG’s Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona’s Raphinha. While Osimhen’s stats outshine several nominees like Declan Rice, Pedri, and Alexander McAlister, the lack of a World Cup or Euros to amplify his visibility likely hurt his case, highlighting how the Ballon d’Or favors players with greater media exposure in Europe’s top competitions.
The African narrative and systemic oversight
Osimhen’s omission reflects a troubling pattern of underrepresenting African players, with only three: Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, and Serhou Guirassy making the 2025 30-man shortlist. As the first Nigerian to finish in the Ballon d’Or top 10 in 2023, Osimhen’s exclusion feels like a step backward. The nomination process, dominated by journalists who may lack deep knowledge of African football or leagues like the Super Lig, perpetuates a cycle where African stars are overlooked unless they play for Europe’s big clubs, sidelining talents like Osimhen and Lookman despite their world-class contributions.
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Comparing Osimhen with the nominees
When stacked against the 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees, Osimhen’s credentials hold up remarkably well, making his snub even more indefensible. Players like Scott McTominay and Desire Doue earned nods despite less prolific seasons, while PSG’s eight nominees benefited from their treble-winning campaign and Champions League exposure. Osimhen’s 35 goals and pivotal role in Galatasaray’s success, coupled with his international dominance, should have placed him alongside the likes of Salah or Harry Kane. His exclusion suggests a failure to judge players on individual merit, favoring club prestige over performance.
Final take
The Ballon d’Or’s credibility hinges on its ability to celebrate the world’s best, regardless of where they play. Osimhen’s snub exposes a flawed system that undervalues players from non-elite leagues and African nations. France Football must diversify its nomination process and reassess criteria to ensure talents like Osimhen are judged for their output, not their league’s reputation. Until these changes are made, the award risks alienating fans and diminishing its global relevance, leaving African football’s brightest stars like Osimhen unjustly overlooked.
