Nigeria’s representation at the global football stage has once again been reduced to a single shining light — Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Falcons’ formidable shot-stopper, who emerged as the only Nigerian shortlisted in the 2025 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards.
While fans had hoped to see men’s stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman listed among the world’s elite, the final shortlist released by FIFA on Thursday revealed a different story — one that celebrates Africa’s growing influence in women’s football, but also underlines the persistent absence of Nigerian male representation on the global awards stage.
Nnadozie’s Recognition: A Beacon of Hope for Nigerian Football
Chiamaka Nnadozie, who currently plies her trade with Paris FC in France, earned her nomination in the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Category following a stellar run of performances both for club and country.
The 24-year-old has built a reputation for commanding presence, exceptional reflexes, and penalty-saving heroics that have made her one of Africa’s most respected goalkeepers.
If she clinches the title, Nnadozie will make history as the first African goalkeeper ever to win the award — a feat that would further elevate the continent’s standing in global women’s football.
Her inclusion not only highlights her individual brilliance but also shines a light on the progress of Nigeria’s women’s game, which continues to earn recognition where its male counterpart has struggled for consistency.
The Great Omission: Osimhen and Lookman Miss the Cut
Despite their strong performances in Europe, Victor Osimhen (Napoli) and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) were notably absent from the Best FIFA Men’s Player shortlist.
Both players enjoyed a solid season — with Osimhen’s scoring form remaining impressive and Lookman turning heads in the Europa League final — yet neither could secure a spot among the global elite.
Observers say the omission reflects the intense competition at the top level, with this year’s men’s category dominated by players from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Chelsea.
Critics, however, argue that Nigerian players continue to face visibility and recognition challenges, as performances in Italy or for African national teams are often overshadowed by stars from more globally marketed leagues.
Full Shortlist Overview (Vertical Format)
The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2025
- Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain 🇫🇷
- Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain 🇲🇦
- Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
- Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid 🇫🇷
- Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain 🇵🇹
- Cole Palmer – Chelsea
- Pedri – Barcelona 🇪🇸
- Raphinha – Barcelona 🇧🇷
- Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
- Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain 🇵🇹
- Lamine Yamal – Barcelona 🇪🇸
The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2025
- Aitana Bonmatí – Barcelona 🇪🇸
- Alexia Putellas – Barcelona 🇪🇸
- Mariona Caldentey – Arsenal
- Lauren James – Chelsea
- Lucy Bronze – Chelsea
- Alessia Russo – Arsenal
- Kadidiatou Diani – Lyon 🇫🇷
- Temwa Chawinga – Kansas City Current 🇲🇼
- Ewa Pajor – Barcelona 🇵🇱
- Claudia Pina – Barcelona 🇪🇸
- Patri Guijarro – Barcelona 🇪🇸
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper 2025
- Ann-Katrin Berger – Gotham FC 🇩🇪
- Cata Coll – Barcelona 🇪🇸
- Christiane Endler – Olympique Lyonnais 🇨🇱
- Hannah Hampton – Chelsea
- Anna Moorhouse – Orlando City
- Phallon Tullis-Joyce – Manchester United 🇺🇸
- Chiamaka Nnadozie – Paris FC 🇳🇬
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2025
- Mikel Arteta – Arsenal
- Luis Enrique – Paris Saint-Germain
- Hansi Flick – Barcelona
- Enzo Maresca – Chelsea
- Roberto Martínez – Portugal National Team
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach 2025
- Sonia Bompastor – Chelsea 🇫🇷
- Sarina Wiegman – England National Team
- Renée Slegers – Arsenal
- Jonatan Giráldez – OL Lyon / Washington Spirit
- Seb Hines – Orlando Pride
Broader Implications for Nigerian Football
The 2025 FIFA Awards shortlist paints a telling picture. While Nigeria remains one of Africa’s strongest football nations, its male representation at world level has steadily declined since the heydays of Kanu Nwankwo and Jay-Jay Okocha.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons — led by players like Nnadozie, Asisat Oshoala, and Rasheedat Ajibade — have continued to keep Nigeria’s name alive internationally, breaking barriers in European club football and at global tournaments.
Experts believe this imbalance should spark strategic introspection among Nigerian football administrators:
How can the country’s male footballers gain the same global spotlight that its female stars now enjoy?
Are domestic football structures doing enough to project Nigerian talent to top-tier European clubs?
And what can be learned from the sustained excellence of the women’s national team?
The Bigger Picture: Global Football’s Shifting Power
A deeper look at the shortlist reveals a European-centric pattern, with players from Spain’s La Liga, England’s Premier League, and France’s Ligue 1 dominating nominations.
This trend reinforces FIFA’s continued focus on the most marketable leagues — leaving many outstanding players from Africa, South America, and Asia outside the final cut.
Still, Nnadozie’s recognition ensures Nigeria is not entirely left out of world football’s biggest night. Her presence on the global stage is both symbolic and significant, showing that with determination and performance at the highest level, Nigerian players — male or female — can still command respect and visibility.
Looking Ahead
The final winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 are expected to be announced at a grand ceremony early next year.
For Nigeria, the hope now rests on Nnadozie’s shoulders — a young woman carrying the flag of a football-crazy nation into the spotlight of world recognition.
Her success would not just be personal; it would be a national statement about resilience, consistency, and the power of talent to break barriers — even when the odds seem uneven.
Conclusion
Chiamaka Nnadozie’s nomination reaffirms that Nigeria’s football story is far from over.
While the men’s game struggles to reclaim its global footing, the women’s game continues to forge a new legacy — one defined by courage, excellence, and international respect.
And as the countdown to The Best FIFA Awards 2025 continues, the question remains:
Will Chiamaka Nnadozie bring home Nigeria’s first-ever individual FIFA award — and reignite the nation’s global football pride?
