Nigerian footballers will be absent from Monday’s 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Super Eagles forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman missing from the nominees as the world’s top players gather in London for the awards.
The 70th edition of the ceremony is scheduled for the London Palladium at 8pm local time, which is 9pm in Nigeria. It marks the first time the prestigious awards event will be held outside Paris.
England captain Harry Kane, Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe are among the leading contenders for the men’s award.
No Nigerian player features on the men’s or women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist or in any of the other award categories.
Osimhen and Lookman were notable omissions despite their contributions for club and country during the assessment period, which ran from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, the date of the World Cup final.
The two forwards scored seven of Nigeria’s 14 goals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Osimhen recorded 30 goal contributions across all competitions during the 2025/26 season, while Lookman registered 12 goals and six assists.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup meant its players missed the opportunity to impress voters on football’s biggest international stage.
Osimhen previously finished eighth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings after helping Napoli win the Italian Serie A title. Lookman placed 14th in 2024 after scoring a hat-trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Nigeria had nominees in the women’s and coaching categories last year. Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie were shortlisted following Nigeria’s victory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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Madugu was nominated for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year award, while Nnadozie was shortlisted for the Yashin Trophy. Both finished fourth in their respective categories.
Senegal forward Sadio Mane is the only African player on the 30-man men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Paris Saint-Germain has the largest representation, with 10 nominees, including defending champion Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Arsenal also have players on the list. Arsenal’s nominees include Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba.
Eight-time winner Lionel Messi is also shortlisted after a strong World Cup campaign.
Kane is seeking to become the first Englishman to win the men’s award since Michael Owen in 2001. Yamal, who finished second behind Dembele last year, is also among the contenders, while Mbappe enters the race after winning several individual scoring honours.
The winner is determined by journalists from the 100 highest-ranked countries in FIFA’s men’s rankings. Each voter selects and ranks 10 players based on individual performances, team achievements and class and fair play.
The ceremony will also recognise achievements in women’s football, young-player development, goalkeeping, coaching and club performance.
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