Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has surprisingly not been nominated for the 2023 FIFPRO XI team of the year.
Despite an excellent 2022–2023 campaign at both the club and international level, Osimhen did not receive enough votes from fellow professionals to earn a spot among the top forwards.
According to FIFPRO, the FIFPRO World XI is voted by professional players, with each player nominating three goalkeepers, three defenders, three midfielders and three attackers.
While finishing as the leading scorer in Serie A as he led Napoli to the league title for the first time in over three decades, as well as winning the African Player of the Year award, Osimhen’s exploits were not sufficient. His goal-scoring feats for Nigeria in World Cup qualifying also could not help his cause.
Somewhat puzzlingly, football stars Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were among those preferred by players voting for the World XI nominations.
Given that both players currently play in Saudi Arabia’s professional league, their inclusion over the in-form Osimhen is questionable.
Ronaldo especially has been in the Middle Eastern League for over a year since departing Manchester United on a free transfer, while Benzema only recently joined.
Still, both managed to gain more votes for 2023 FIFPRO XI nominations than the 24-year-old Osimhen.
