Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje believes Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman can return to the Ballon d’Or conversation if they improve their consistency and deliver stronger performances for their clubs and the Nigerian national team.
Sodje made the assessment following the absence of both Nigerian forwards from the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, insisting that individual brilliance alone is not enough to secure recognition among the world’s best footballers.
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 men’s award at a ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, ending a 25-year wait for an English player to claim the prestigious individual honour.
The latest omission was particularly disappointing for Nigerian football, considering the progress both Osimhen and Lookman have made in recent years.
Osimhen finished eighth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings after an outstanding campaign with Napoli, becoming the first Nigerian player to break into the top 10. Lookman followed in 2024, finishing 14th after playing a decisive role in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph, including scoring a memorable hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
However, neither player made the latest shortlist, prompting discussions about what they need to do to regain their positions among the leading contenders for football’s biggest individual award.
Speaking to Africafoot, Sodje acknowledged that the Ballon d’Or recognises individual performances but explained that a player’s achievements are also influenced by the collective success of their club and national team.
“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.
The former defender also suggested that Nigeria’s disappointing performances on the international stage may have affected the chances of its leading players, stressing that success with the national team can strengthen an individual’s reputation.
“I think the national team not doing well might have affected the players as well. They have not been in top form,” he added.
Sodje particularly discussed Osimhen’s situation at Galatasaray, where the striker has continued to produce goals since leaving Napoli. However, he believes playing in the Turkish league could make it more difficult for the Nigerian forward to attract the same level of attention as players competing regularly in Europe’s biggest leagues and competitions.
“Osimhen has been playing well, but he is in Turkey, and his team has not been among the best clubs in the Champions League or other competitions,” he explained.
“They are doing well, but it just shows you that, when it comes to the Ballon d’Or, your team needs to be playing well.”
Osimhen finished the 2025/26 season with 30 goal contributions across all competitions, demonstrating his continued importance to Galatasaray. Nevertheless, Sodje believes the striker needs stronger collective performances and greater consistency to compete for individual recognition at the highest level.
Lookman also enjoyed an important campaign, recording 12 goals and six assists during the 2025/26 season. The forward has previously demonstrated his ability to influence major European matches, particularly during his successful spell at Atalanta.
Both players also contributed significantly to Nigeria’s attack at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, accounting for seven of the Super Eagles’ 14 goals at the tournament.
Despite their individual contributions, Sodje believes the pair must continue working hard, maintain their confidence and deliver consistently impressive performances rather than become discouraged by their absence from the latest nominations.
“Personally, they have not had their best performances or been in their best form. There are many factors,” he said.
“I have played the game for a long time, so I know that when confidence comes in, you can have a good game or a good period. They cannot regret it. They just have to keep working hard. When your country is doing well, it does help.”
Sodje also expressed surprise at Achraf Hakimi’s position in the Ballon d’Or rankings, considering the Paris Saint-Germain defender’s contributions to his club and Morocco.
However, he acknowledged that Hakimi’s injury problems and absence from several matches during the assessment period may have affected his individual chances.
The former Nigerian international explained that although team success is important, players must also remain available and consistently perform at a high level to strengthen their cases for major individual awards.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s George Weah remains the only African man to have won the Ballon d’Or, claiming the honour in 1995.
Osimhen’s eighth-place finish in 2023 remains the highest position achieved by a Nigerian male footballer, while Lookman’s 14th-place finish in 2024 marked another significant achievement for the country’s football history.
With both forwards still seeking to re-establish themselves among the world’s leading players, their performances at club level and contributions to the Super Eagles will remain important factors in their ambitions to return to the Ballon d’Or spotlight.
