Super Eagles manager coach, Jose Peseiro has claimed that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has the potential to secure the Ballon d’Or award down the line.
The Nigerian forward has been named among the 30 contenders for this year’s accolade. He faces stiff competition from football luminaries such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Andre Onana, Yassine Bounou, and several others.
The 24-year-old striker has become the initial Nigerian male footballer to receive a nomination for this esteemed accolade since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Additionally, he received a nomination for the 2023 FIFA The Best Men’s Player Award.
According to reports, during an interview with the Italian publication II Mattino, Peseiro expressed his confidence in the potential of Napoli’s striker to secure the award in the future.
“He (Osimhen) can surely win the Ballon d’Or in the future. He’s not lacking anything to do it,” he said.
“He has different characteristics than other players that are at the top at this moment, but he scores a lot as well.”
The ex-FC Porto coach also discussed Osimhen’s standout performance for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he distinguished himself as the top scorer with an impressive tally of 10 goals.
“I was afraid he would be down in the dumps, but instead, he was devastating. He closed the AFCON qualifiers with ten goals and was the top scorer. He was the same smiley and happy Victor as always. It’s an advantage for everybody.”
Osimhen’s outstanding performance with Napoli in the previous season secured his spot among the nominees. He played a pivotal role in leading his club to clinch the Italian Serie A title for the first time in 30 years, since 1990.
Starting this season on a positive note, the former Lille striker has already netted three goals in his initial four league matches.