Reigning record African Women player of the year, Asisat Oshoala have been shortlisted for the 2022 Balloon d’Or Award, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
The La Liga feminine pichichi winner was listed among the 20 Ballon d’Or women nominees for the prestigious award and became the first-ever African woman soccer player to make the shortlist.
Oshoala suffered an injury in the opening group game against rivals and eventual champions Bafana Bafana of South Africa, hence missed Nigeria’s remaining matches at the tournament.
Her 2021/22 season with Barcelona Feminine was hampered with injury and despite playing just 19 times, she emerged the league’s highest scorer with 20 goals, an award she shared with Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, who managed 20 goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF.
Organisers of the Ballon d’Or award, France Football also listed four of Oshoala’s Barcelona Femeni teammates; Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Alexia Putellas and Fridolina Rolfo.
Other nominees are Selma Bacha (Lyon), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Kadidiatou Diani (PSG), Christiane Endler (Lyon), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG),
Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Catarina Macario (Lyon), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg), Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg), Wendie Renard (Lyon) and
Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit).
Ballon d’Or Feminin is the most prestigious individual award in the women’s game.
The winner will be crowned at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 17 in Paris.
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