Ballon d’Or 2023: Osimhen Ranked Ahead of Benzema, Salah in Top 10 Best Players

• Victor Osimhen has finished ahead of the likes of Karim Benzema and Mohamed Salah in the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings
• The Nigerian international had a remarkable 2022/2023 season, helping Napoli win the Serie A title with his 26 goals
• Osimhen also won the Italian league's Golden Boot, smashing the long-time record set by Liberin legend George Weah

Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen has finished among the top ten best players in the world in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings.

During the 2022/2023 season, the Nigerian international led Napoli to the Scudetto for the first time in more than three decades.

Osimhen scored 26 league goals last season, netting a total of 31 times in 39 matches in all competitions during their campaign.

He also helped the Partenopei reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the very first time in the club’s history, Infogol reports.

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The former Lille of France striker was voted the Serie A best striker for the year and received the Golden Boot.

On the international scene, Osimhen netted 10 goals to help Nigeria secure qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

His efforts were rewarded with a Ballon d’Or nomination, which saw him finish in the top 10 ahead of the likes of Karim Benzema and Mohamed Salah.

Osimhen finished in eighth position in the overall rankings, while Bernardo Silva and Luka Modric were ninth and 10th respectively.

Benzema finished in 16th position, while Robert Lewandowski finished 12th. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, claimed a record-extending eighth award ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

What Wenger once said about Ballon d'Or

Sports Brief previously reported on former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger expressing a Ballon d'Or dislike, despite it being the biggest individual prize in world football.

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Since 1956, France Football has handed the prestigious individual gong to the best player in the men’s category each year, with Messi claiming his eighth title on October 30.

In his previous comments about one of football's greatest prizes, Wenger stated he was 'completely against' the Ballon d'or, as he preferred those who prioritised teamwork.