Nigerian star, Asisat Oshoala who has played for the Catalonian side since 2019, is part of the 20-person shortlist for this year’s award.
Oshoala finished as the joint top scorer in the Primera Iberdrola last season –– netting 20 times in just 19 games, despite being injured for two months.
Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala has become the first African woman to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin.
The forward played an integral role in Barca’s historic unbeaten domestic season, which saw the club win all 30 of their league games and finish 24 points in front of Real Sociedad in second.
Taking to Twitter, Oshoala celebrated her nomination and paid tribute to her country. “NAIJA,” she wrote, alongside the Nigerian flag and soccer ball emojis.
Meanwhile, in the men’s Ballon d’Or category, three African players were shortlisted –– Mo Salah, Sebastien Haller and Sadio Mane.
Who is Ashoala?
Ashoala is widely considered one of the greatest African female footballers of all time.
The 27-year-old is a five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year and was made a Member of the Order of the Niger by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
After starring for the Chinese club Dalian Quanjian for two years, Barcelona secured the services of the striker in 2019.
Oshoala was not the only Barca star nominated for the women’s award.
In total, the Spanish champions had five players nominated, including, Lucy Bronze, Fridolina Rölfo, Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and Oshoala.
