Sam Sodje has identified team success, consistency and international performances as key areas Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman must improve to strengthen their chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
The former Super Eagles defender believes both forwards have the individual ability to compete for the prestigious award but says their performances cannot be separated from the achievements of their respective clubs and national team.
His comments followed the selection of England striker Harry Kane as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26. Nigeria had no representative among the 30 shortlisted players.
Osimhen previously reached eighth place in 2023, setting a record for a Nigerian male player, while Lookman finished 14th in 2024.
Speaking to Africafoot, Sodje explained that a footballer’s personal achievements do not always translate into major individual honours when the teams they represent struggle to make an impact.
“I know the Ballon d’Or is an individual award, but football in general is not individual. It depends on how your team is playing,” Sodje said.
He further suggested that Nigeria’s inability to perform strongly on the international stage may have reduced the players’ chances of attracting recognition.
Osimhen’s move away from Napoli also featured in Sodje’s assessment. He believes competing in Turkey rather than one of Europe’s more prominent leagues could make it harder for the striker to attract the attention required for such an award.
Although Galatasaray have enjoyed positive results, Sodje questioned whether their performances in the Champions League and other major competitions were sufficient to boost Osimhen’s individual profile.
He urged both Nigerians not to allow the latest outcome to discourage them, insisting that sustained effort and confidence would be important in their pursuit of greater recognition.
The statistics from the 2025/26 season showed that both forwards remained productive. Osimhen registered 30 goal contributions in all competitions, while Lookman recorded 12 goals and six assists.
Their impact was also evident at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they combined for seven of Nigeria’s 14 goals.
Despite those contributions, the award’s assessment period, which covered August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, also included Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, denying the players an opportunity to impress on football’s biggest international stage.
Meanwhile, George Weah of Liberia remains the only African man to have claimed the Ballon d’Or, achieving the feat in 1995.
