Osimhen deserves praise for making FIFA’s ‘Best Men’s Player Award’ final 12-man shortlist – Basketmouth

Veteran comedian, Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth has tagged Nigerian professional footballer a winner for securing a spot on FIFA’s ‘Best Men’s Player Award’ final 12-man shortlist.

He disclosed this during an interview with The Punch where he lauded Osimhen for the feat considering the caliber of footballers on the said list.

He said whether the Napoli star eventually clinches the FIFA award or not, he’s as good as being called a winner.

The interview asked: “Victor Osimhen has made the final 12-man shortlist for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award. Do you think he stands a chance against Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi?”

Responding, Basketmouth stated: “Yeah, he stands a chance, he’s been very impressive with the title he won and the Golden Boot too in Italy.

“Someone like Messi should leave that place, he has won enough, he should leave the other ones. The thing is, most times, it’s not even whether he wins or not. The fact that he’s been listed; that he was shortlisted to be on that same platform is a win for me.

“Like when my albums were nominated for the Headies awards alongside those that have been doing music for 12 years or more, it’s a win for me even though I didn’t get the award.”

The Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, made the final 12-man shortlist for The Best FIFA Men’s Player of The Year award.

The list, which was released by the world football body on Thursday, had the Napoli forward as the only African still in the race for the most coveted football individual prize, after his compatriot, Asisat Oshola, failed to make the final shortlist for the women’s category of the prestigious awards.

The final 12 nominees for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award are Julian Alvarez, Marcelo Brozovic, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Erling Haaland, Rodri, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Victor Osimhen, Declan Rice and Bernardo Silva.

Osimhen helped Napoli win the Italian Serie A last season with 31 goals in all competitions. At the international scene, Victor Osimhen emerged as the African Highest Goal Scorer in the African Nations Cup Qualifier with 10 goals.

The Naples-based club won the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years with the help of the former Lille forward last season and they intend to defend the title next season counting on the services of the world-class striker.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles forward has attracted the interest of Manchester United and Chelsea, having established himself as one of the most clinical strikers in Europe.

Osimhen is also on the radar of French Ligue 1 champions PSG, while Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich consider him as an alternative option to their primary target Harry Kane.