Ballon d'Or: Afrobeats king Davido reacts to Osimhen and Oshoala's nominations

Davido reacts to Osimhen and Oshoala Ballon d'Or nomination || Image credit: Imago/PFA

Ballon d'Or: Afrobeats king Davido reacts to Osimhen and Oshoala's nominations

Faruq Ibrahim 22:19 - 06.09.2023

Asisat Oshoala and Victor Osimhen's Ballon d'Or nominations have gotten reactions from Nigerians including Afrobeats legend Davido.

Afrobeats superstar Davido has cheered Nigerian duo Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for making it into the Ballon d'Or nomination shortlist.  

Osimhen and Oshoala make history 

France Football released the list of nominees for voting category awards for the Ballon d'Or ceremony today, and Napoli forward Osimhen and Barcelona star Oshoala made the lists for Best Men's Player of the Year and Best Women's Player of the Year, respectively.  

The achievement of the duo makes Nigeria the first African country to have a representative on both the male and female Ballon d'Or nomination lists.  

Oshoala enjoyed immense success with her club side and was part of a Nigerian team that went close to making history at the just-concluded FIFA Women's World Cup. 

She won the league and Champions League with Barcelona and reached the Round of 16 of the World Cup with the Super Falcons, who were unbeaten in regular play.

Asisat Oshoala in action for Barcelona Women || photo credit: Imago
Asisat Oshoala in action for Barcelona Women || photo credit: Imago
Stefanie Ladewig, Victor Osimhen and their child || Stefanie Kim Ladewig/via Instagram
Stefanie Ladewig, Victor Osimhen and their child || Stefanie Kim Ladewig/via Instagram

The five-time African Women's Footballer of the Year also had a remarkable individual season despite injury trouble, scoring 21 goals in the league and five in the Champions League.  

Osimhen, on the other hand, heroically led the Naples-based side to their first league title in 33 years, the first since when Maradona played his football in that part of Italy.  

Along with the Scudetto, the former Royal Charleroi forward also won the award for best forward in Serie A, as well as the Capocannoniere (Italian Golden Boot).

Davido and Football 

The Kante crooner is one of the biggest Afrobeats artistes and has had a number of sports-related collaborations over the years. 

He has partnered with Sports brands like Puma and has repeatedly name-dropped footballers in his music, including Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he eventually linked up with. 

The meeting between Alozie and Davido reportedly would have happened in the USA. (Twitter/Michelle Alozie)
The meeting between Alozie and Davido reportedly would have happened in the USA. (Twitter/Michelle Alozie)
Ansu Fati teamed up with American-born Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer David Adedeji Adeleke OON, who is professionally known as Davido.
Ansu Fati teamed up with American-born Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer David Adedeji Adeleke OON, who is professionally known as Davido.

His biggest involvement in the sport, however, was being an artiste on the FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup tracklist and performing at the closing ceremony. Most recently, he performed at the PFA Awards in England. 

Davido is one of those who champion Nigeria's excellence globally, and using his social media, he exhibited his pride in Osimhen and Oshoala's feat by posting the graphic announcement of their nomination with a Nigerian flag caption.

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