In a thrilling conclusion to this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, Argentina’s football sensation, Lionel Messi, clinched the prestigious individual accolade, leaving the world spellbound. Only a select trio of African players secured their spots in the coveted top 30 final power ranking, making their continent proud.
Among these extraordinary talents, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Cameroon’s Andre Onana stood tall, having exhibited remarkable performances for their respective clubs in the previous season.
Osimhen, the dynamic forward currently gracing the ranks of Napoli, played a pivotal role in his team’s Serie A triumph, adding the Golden Boot to his laurels as the top scorer.
Liverpool’s Egyptian king, Mohamed Salah, wowed the footballing world with his contributions, steering his team to a top-five finish in the Premier League with his remarkable goal-scoring prowess and assists.
Meanwhile, Andre Onana dazzled fans with his brilliant goalkeeping for Inter Milan, guiding them to the Champions League final, where they narrowly succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City before his departure to Manchester United in the summer.
In the recently revealed Ballon d’Or final top 30 rankings, these African luminaries left their indelible mark. Osimhen secured the 8th position, Salah claimed the 11th spot, and Onana finished strongly in the 23rd place.
This exciting announcement came from France Football, who unveiled the 30-man rankings for the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards on a memorable Monday night in the enchanting city of Paris. Messi’s triumph over formidable contenders like Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe left football enthusiasts in awe. The Inter Miami captain’s crowning achievement saw him rightfully ascend to the zenith, claiming the coveted first position in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
