Just two Nigerians have been named among the nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, which were announced on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and coach Justine Madugu, both key figures in Nigeria’s women’s national football team, earned spots on the shortlist.

Nnadozie, who recently transferred from Paris FC to Brighton in England, was nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, which honours the best female goalkeeper in the world. She will be going up against other top contenders including Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Hannah Hampton, and Daphne van Domselaar.

Madugu also made headlines after leading the Super Falcons to their historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title last month. His achievement earned him a nomination for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year award.

Interestingly, Madugu is the only male coach in that category and will face competition from Renée Slegers, Sarina Wiegman, Sonia Bompastor, and Arthur Elias.

Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, was also nominated in another Ballon d’Or category. He remains the only Nigerian to be recognized outside of the women’s awards.