Sam Sodje: Osimhen and Lookman Can Shine Again

Former Nigeria defender Sam Sodje stated that Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman could return to the Ballon d'Or spotlight if they demonstrate greater consistency and their teams perform better. His remarks followed the announcement of Harry Kane winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or on October 26 at the London Palladium, where no Nigerian players were among the 30 men's nominees.

Osimhen ranked eighth in the 2023 Ballon d'Or standings, the highest for a Nigerian man, while Lookman placed 14th in 2024. Sodje noted that individual brilliance is not always sufficient for winning the award, emphasizing the importance of team performance.

He mentioned Osimhen's current situation at Galatasaray, where he has been since leaving Napoli, and highlighted that the team has not been among the best in competitions. Despite their contributions, Nigeria's failure to qualify for the World Cup may have impacted their chances.

Osimhen recorded 30 goal contributions in the 2025/26 season, while Lookman had 12 goals and six assists.