Ballon d’Or: Osimhen made his bed, let him lie in it

Osimhen missed the Ballon d’Or 30-man shortlist for this year, leading some of his fans to question his omission. 

The 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees were released on Thursday, and one notable name missing from this year’s list was Victor Osimhen. 

Osimhen, who dominated the transfer headlines this summer, was surprisingly left out despite his impressive feat last season. 

The Nigerian international spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, helping the side to win the League and Cup double. 

Osimhen scored 26 league goals and 11 in other competitions, while also providing eight assists in 41 appearances. 

These are fantastic numbers for a striker who has been one of the best in his position in the last three years. 

However, it was still not enough to get at least a nomination on this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees’ list. Osimhen’s omission led to questions from some of his Nigerian supporters, who insisted that he had done enough to earn a place on the 30-man list. 

“They really have it out for Osimhen, cos tell me what qualifies Guirassy, Haaland, Lewandowski, Mac Allister and co in that 30 man list but doesn't qualify Osimhen,” a user said on X. 

 “Bants aside, Osimhen deserves to be on that Ballon d'Or list If Haaland and Kane should be there, osimhen is supposed be there also,” another fan said. 

In fairness, you can understand where Osimhen fans are coming from, given the numbers he produced last season. 

Galatasaray move is the end of Osimhen's name in Ballon d'Or conversation

But when context is applied, does Osimhen really deserve a place in this year’s Ballon d’Or 30-man list? 

The answer to the question above is no. On paper, 37 goals and eight assists in 45 games are great numbers for strikers. 

However, the truth is, Osimhen delivered these numbers in the colours of Galatasaray in the Turkish League. 

The Turkish League, ranked ninth in UEFA’s coefficient ranking, does not really matter in the grand scheme of things, irrespective of what a player does. 

In recent years, only players from Europe’s top five leagues have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. 

In fact, in the last 25 years, only three players from the Turkish league have earned a Ballon d’Or nomination. 

Mario Jadel and Hakan Shukur in 2000, a year that saw Galatasaray win the UEFA Cup, now called the Europa League. 

Shakur even received his nomination as an Inter Milan player, but it was his performances for Galatasaray the previous season that earned him the nomination. 

Aside from those two, the other player from the Turkish league to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or was Hasan Sas in 2002 after playing a key role in Turkey’s run to the semifinal of the 2002 World Cup. 

Given the history, it is clear to see that players plying their trade in the Turkish league are not the first or even second names on the list when Ballon d’Or lists are compiled. 

Hence, Osimhen’s omission from this year’s list should be seen as a normal thing, even though his numbers were great. 

He would have had a claim if Galatasaray had performed well in Europe last season. But the Turkish side lost in the playoff round of the Europa League, which effectively ended Osimhen’s chances of getting on the list. 

Also, Osimhen probably knew all of these when he decided he wanted to spend his peak years in the Turkish league. 

The Nigerian international was linked to a host of clubs last summer, but was not willing to take a paycut, thereby agreeing to a loan move to Galatasaray. 

The same situation presented itself this summer, but Osimhen insisted on Galatasaray, the only club willing to pay his wages and his release clause. 

Having decided to sign with Galatasaray, Osimhen must have been aware that he would also give up individual accolades like a Ballon d’Or nomination. 

He rightly declined the option to take a pay cut, but his decision to spend his peak years in Turkey means the spotlight will no longer be on him. 

The Turkish league has never mattered in Ballon d’Or consideration. It is something Osimhen and his fans will have to deal with because the Super Eagles star already made his bed.