Ballon d’Or 2022: How Asisat Oshoala became first African woman to be nominated

Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala has become the first African woman to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin. 

The Nigerian star, 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. 

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. 

Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the Women's Ballon d'Or.She is the only Player to win the CAF Women's Player of the Year Award 5 times.She won the Spanish Women's Primera Division Golden Boot with 20 goals in 19 games despite being injured for 8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/rU1eMb0AL4

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. 

Here are the nominees for the 2022 Women's Ballon d'Or