Nigerian footballer playing as a striker for Spanish Liga F club FC Barcelona, Asisat Oshoala, has been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or Award.
The organizer of the award, France Football made this known on its official Twitter handle on Friday.
This is not Osoala’s first big award nomination in her career, as she got nominated in the Socrates Award category, which recognises outstanding solidarity actions carried out by football champions.
The 28-year-old is one of five individuals shortlisted for the award, which was established last year and named after the legendary Brazilian footballer, Socrates.
Joining Oshoala as nominees in the category are Vinicius Jnr (Brazil/Real Madrid), Antonio Rudiger (Germany/Real Madrid), Marcus Rashford (England/Manchester United), and Alex Morgan (USA/San Diego Wave).
The nomination acknowledges Oshoala’s remarkable contributions to her community through the creation of the Oshoala Academy. The academy aims to provide its beneficiaries with high-quality football training and life skills education. It also empowers young women through sports, transforming them into community role models and ambassadors for the skills they acquire.
The announcement further stated that the nominees in other categories, including men’s, women’s, Yachine Trophy, and Kopa Trophy, will be revealed on September 6.
The tweet by France Football read, “Here are all our #SocratesAward with @peaceandsport nominees! 👊✨
Alex Morgan
Asisat Oshoala
Marcus Rashford
Antonio Rüdiger
Vinícius Júnior.
“Last year, @lequipe group with @peaceandsport created a societal award as part of the Ballon d’Or ceremony!”
The Socrates award will identify the best solidarity actions carried out by committed champions.
Oshoala is currently in Australia with the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s national women’s football team, as they train for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup, which New Zealand and Australia will host.
The Super Falcons are in Group B and will face Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland during the group stages of the tournament, before proceeding to the knockout stages.
