In a significant recognition of his stellar performances, Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has been named among the world's elite footballers for the year 2025. The prestigious annual list compiled by The Guardian places the Super Eagles striker at an impressive 46th position out of the top 100 players globally.
A Remarkable Leap Forward
This year's ranking marks a substantial rise for Osimhen, who has jumped 28 places from his 74th position in the 2024 list. This dramatic ascent underscores his consistent and impactful contributions throughout the year for both his club and the Nigerian national team. The list, released this week, is determined by a panel of experts and is highly regarded in the football world.
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing detail is that Osimhen's placement puts him ahead of Portuguese megastar Cristiano Ronaldo, who was ranked 51st. This achievement highlights the Nigerian forward's current standing in the global game.
Club and Country Impact in 2025
Osimhen's impressive ranking is built on a foundation of remarkable goal-scoring feats. After a high-profile transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray, the 26-year-old striker netted 36 goals across all competitions in 2025. His physical prowess, intelligent movement, and blistering pace have also made him a formidable force in the UEFA Champions League, consistently troubling some of Europe's best defenses.
On the international stage, Osimhen has shouldered the attacking responsibility for Nigeria with distinction. He scored eight crucial goals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. Despite Nigeria's ultimate failure to secure a spot for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Osimhen's personal contributions were deemed outstanding enough by The Guardian's judges to warrant his high ranking, with his influence outweighing the team's collective setback.
Ranking Among Global Stars
Osimhen's 46th place positions him above a host of other celebrated players from Europe's top leagues. Notable names ranked below the Nigerian include Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold (98th) and AC Milan's Rafael Leão (91st).
He also outranks a quartet of Arsenal players: Eberechi Eze (56th), David Raya (58th), Martín Zubimendi (70th), and Mikel Merino (90th). Several Manchester City stars, Chelsea's Estevão, Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, and Liverpool's Alexander Isak also find themselves positioned behind Osimhen in this prestigious ranking.
This recognition comes just two years after Osimhen finished ninth in the Ballon d'Or voting, following a season where his 26 Serie A goals propelled Napoli to their first league title in over thirty years. His current form suggests he remains among the world's most lethal forwards.
As the football world awaits the reveal of the top ten names, which are expected to include Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, Osimhen's focus now shifts to the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. He has already joined the Super Eagles camp as they prepare for the continental showpiece, aiming to translate his individual excellence into team success for Nigeria.
