Oshoala is one of five individuals nominated for the Socrates Award, a prize named after late Brazil football legend
By Kehinde Okeowo
Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala has been shortlisted for the 2023 Ballon d’Or Award.
Her nomination was announced via the official Twitter Handle of France Football, organiser of the Ballon d’Or on Friday, July 7.
The Barcelona striker was nominated for the Socrates Award category of the Ballon d’Or, which identifies the best solidarity actions carried out by committee champions.
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She is one of five individuals nominated for the award created last year and named after the late Brazil football legend, Socrates.
Other players shortlisted for the category are Vinicius Jnr (Brazil/ Real Madrid), Antonio Rudiger (Germany/Real Madrid), Marcus Rashford (England/Manchester United) and Alex Morgan (USA/San Diego Wave).
According to the organisers of the award, the reigning African women’s Player of the Year, who was also a nominee for the Ballon d’Or in 2022, was recognised for creating a football academy, which benefited her community.
“Oshoala Academy aims to give access to its beneficiaries to high quality football training as well as education on life skill,” France Football stated on its social media page.
It went on to say the football academy also empowered young women through sports, turning beneficiaries into community role models and ambassadors for the skills they picked up.
Meanwhile, the nominees in the categories for the men, women, Yachine Trophy and Kopa Trophy of the Ballon d’Or award will be announced on September 6.
Oshoala is currently in Australia with the Super Falcons who are preparing for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup billed to be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
The Nigerian team are in Group B and will face Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland at the group stages.
